"Its advocacy and manner of approach on behalf of the entire region is to be commended."
Echoing my as yet unanswered question about the identity of the culture that ROCK seeks to reclaim, might I ask: "On behalf of what?"
So far, in spite of periodic allegations to the contrary, ROCK has limited itself to stroking a prurient interest in public policy matters pertaining to sex and sex alone.
Fair enough, but what about all the other ways in which ROCK might prove some meaningful mettle?
For me, when ROCK's "soldiers" finally begin attending those apparently boring neighborhood meetings, the ones where community activists talk about things like nasty living standards in decrepit rental properties, and at long last ROCK decides to take part in the discussion of what we as a community intend to do about it, then I'll finally believe ROCK is really interested in improving the lives of children and families, and not just grandstanding about pornography, an issue that affects far fewer lives (and has less direct effect on property values) than living standards, public health and other related societal dysfunctions.
Until then, ROCK's interest in hawking license plates boasting "In God We Trust" tells us far more about where its "advocacy" is headed.
Think: Theocracy.
As an atheist, it seems to me that an all-knowing deity should be as interested in matters like rental property squalor as she is in pole dancing and the virtues of license plate advertising.
Maybe her words aren't being accurately interpreted.
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Interfaith supports ROCK
Interfaith Community Council Inc. would like to show its support for the work of ROCK, or Reclaim Our Culture Kentuckiana. Its advocacy and manner of approach on behalf of the entire region is to be commended. Following discussion, our executive directors passed the following resolution:
“Resolved: That the executive committee of the Board of Directors of Interfaith Community Council affirms the work of ROCK in Southern Indiana and beyond.”
— Christine Harbeson, Executive Director, and Vern Eswine, Board of Directors President-elect, Interfaith Community Council Inc.
13 comments:
Why does the Interfaith Community Council web site have a link to One Southern Indiana? And why does 1SI use Vern Eswine's church (Northside) for business events?
This is becoming more disturbing all the time.
I just swapped a couple of emails with someone from ROCK. I thought I'd share some of it with you all.
The first email was basically me asking when they were going to start helping with issues that affected a larger majority of people in New Albany. I got a standard reply that they would help me get in touch with organizations that can help with housing issues. So I sent this...
"I represent no one in particular, just a member of one of the numerous neighborhood associations within the core of New Albany that have grown weary of "fighting city hall" to enforce code violation ordinances for some of the horrendous housing we have in New Albany . This effects many children, not to mention livability in the area. We know who to talk to, we've talked to them without much luck. ROCK stands for Reclaim Our Culture Kentuckiana, so my question would be what culture are you wanting to reclaim? You've spearheaded efforts against pornography, but aren't there more issues than just porn that should be addressed in order to reclaim a culture?"
Here was the reply...
"There certainly are many areas where our current culture is lacking in efforts to be a positive, decent and wholesome place to live, work and raise a family. Various organizations and individuals, using their particular skill sets, address these issues in their different forms. In ROCK’s case, our area of professional expertise involves on one level – what the Constitution and subsequent law says about how communities and individuals can protect themselves from the negative effects associated with the presence of the sex industry. We certainly do not believe this one topic is the be all and end all but is where our expertise rests primarily. We are actually one of the few in the nation addressing this specific issue with other great organizations tackling things such as homelessness, poverty, etc., and bringing attention to those issues that deserve public education and attention.
While I agree with you that the issue you raise is one of great importance as are so many, our approach is to focus on the area we feel we can be of the most use so as not to dilute our resources while always support other worthy organizations attempting to make a positive difference in their unique way.
I hope that helps why we have chosen to operate in the manner we do. Thanks for your interest and for the good work you are doing in your community. We need more concerned citizens like you." (Sweet...)
So, they really do just focus on sex...and the "In God We Trust" plates...
They may have changed, but earlier promotional materials reflected interest in other areas which revolved making their particular religious viewpoint law.
And what does putting religious messages on license plates have to do with the sex industry?
I really hope and desire that this group in question is not trying to play off of the Louisville Based Group:
http://interfaithpathstopeace.org/
If so, shame on you.
Well my whole issue with ROCK is that you can't be a single issue organization, yet claim the mantle of restoring an entire regions' culture. There's so much more to work on than a couple of nudie shops.
Have they even thought about the amount of legal costs that NA could incur enforcing this? It could very well take all the money away from code enforcement which affects a much wider share of the population--whose culture they say they are defending. Maybe they need to reevaluate their efforts.
So if I may be so bold as to paraphrase.
They (Rock) are saying that they are quite willing to speak out on a solitary aspect of an issue while being just as willing to sit on their hands concerning even visible outvry against an interconnected (and just as damaging) aspect of same.
Talk about a one trick pony!
"To hell with a workable & productive end result! We gotta protect our turf!"
ROCK's purpose is to spread evangelical Christianity. Duh.
Northside is (among other things) a Republican WASP networking hub with large facilities, hence the connections to 1SI business events.
The false assumption by ROCK/1SI/Northside-types is that all of Southern Indiana is on the same page with them. It ain't so.
A little intellecual honesty in all of this would go a long way, but we all know that isn't going to happen.
I like the justification they gave Bayernfan.
[O]ur area of professional expertise involves on one level – what the Constitution and subsequent law says about how communities and individuals can protect themselves…
By noting that they’re trying to use the Constitution and other laws, they’re still trying to present themselves are defenders of the Constitution.
Are they defenders of the Constitution? How do they feel about the Constitution’s church-state language? Do they defend that too? Or are they just selectively using the Constitution to prompt their theocratic agenda and will conveniently disregard the Constitution when it conflicts with that agenda?
If they’re really defenders of the Constitution, then I’m sure the ACLU will be happy to count on ROCK’s support in the next school prayer or ten-commandments-on-the-courthouse-step event.
The ACLU and ROCK working in concert!
Now that will be a sure sign of something Progressive!!
Yeah, that will happen. When pigs fl..., wait,...... when Roger drinks a bud light.
As an American, I find it very insulting how they use the Constitution when it is convenient and are prepared to disregard it when it is not. These are not the values our Founding Fathers gave us.
If ROCK tries to claim the Constitution as a part of the culture it is "reclaiming," they’re not hypocrites, they’re liars.
There are factions of Christianity that rely on selective reading of the Bible for justification. Why would they treat the Constitution any differently?
B.W.'s statement toward intellectual honesty is the crux. We don't get it from ROCK or 1SI. They're a match made in heaven (eye roll).
When a company hires people, market factors aren't considered and 1SI credits themselves. When the same company lays off or terminates people, it's about market downturn and 1SI isn't accountable.
It's no different than reading a Bible chapter, highlighting one interpretation of one verse and ignoring all the others.
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