OK, just when you thought Florida couldn't get any weirder.
Today it was announced in our local mullet wrapper that the owner of Dominoes has decided to build not only the first Catholic University built in 40 years, but also a strict Catholic town to surround it near Naples, FL.
In this town there will be no x-rated cable, no pornography, and no condoms or birth control pills. (Probably without the first two, the need for the last two will be reduced). I'm kidding here, people.
What's next? Allahville?
Already civil libertarians are gearing up for challenges to such restrictions. Some proponents might say: if America is truly a free country, and everyone is free to choose where they live, how is this a restriction in anyone's civil liberties? They're free to live somewhere else!
Ah, but aren't certain liberties guaranteed to all citizens, even if they don't choose to partake of them? And what about the mixed family? Say Papa Joe is Catholic, Momma Jane is Presbyterian, and their kids are Unitarian Universalists. Papa Joe gets a great job offer with Catholics R Us in town, they move, and suddenly Momma Jane and the kids are being denied certain liberties that they'd be guaranteed elsewhere.
I also worry about the mental disease which often foments when there is a community that has entirely separated itself from the rest of the world. Can we say "Salem Witch Trials", "Jim Jones", and "Branch Davidians"? How about an easier word: cult.
"Therefore, COME OUT FROM THEIR MIDST AND BE SEPARATE," says the Lord. "AND DO NOT TOUCH WHAT IS UNCLEAN; And I will welcome you"* is not interpreted by modern churches to mean that you physically distance yourself. If this verse were to be interpreted literally, then Christians would also have returned to a strictly kosher diet.
There seems to be a trend for certain religious zealots to segregate themselves from everyone who does not share the same faith. Special thanks goes out to Joe and Josefina for finding this little gem: Christian Exodus. This particular group consists of protestant Christian Fundamentalists who are attempting to move to South Carolina en masse in hopes of controlling the state and causing it to be governed completely under their own rules. Ultimately, they may try to secede from the United States. Good idea. We know how well that worked during the Civil War.
I understand the worries of today's religious groups. There is a sense of unrest and perhaps a feeling that they are unheard. However, it is very easy to remain unheard if you never speak up. I used to be very involved in politics, and I was always amazed to see how few people were! It wasn't uncommon for major decisions to be made by a minority of people, because there was no one else around to participate!
If people want to truly make a difference, they need to only speak up louder. Seceding from the world, and from sanity, is no way to do that.
*2 Cor. 6:17
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30 comments:
I totally agree with you...this guy seems to be out of touch with reality.
I live four miles away from Maharishi Vedic City, the newest town in Iowa for something like 100 years. It was created by a group of followers of Maharishi Maheesh Yogi, the guru of the Beatles, because they didn't like living in the town where I currently live. In Vedic City, the official currency is the RAAM, the official language is sanskrit and only organic goods can be bought or sold. All houses must face east as well. Although they don't claim to be of a religion, most are Hindu because other Christian religions conflict with their teachings.
I guess I have a hard time getting worked up about it. If they want to build their little utopian society, so be it. I think it is a shame for reasons you mentioned in that it might create misunderstandings but in my case, those misunderstandings were present even when they lived in my town. The only thing that has changed with their leaving has been a little bit more peace because people aren't striving to have their beliefs or religion on top.
I'm Catholic but I don't think I would want to live in a Catholic town. I think there is a lot to be learned by exposing myself to various cultures and religions. Shutting myself off to those who aren't like myself only makes me narrow minded and ignorant of the world around me.
I had heard about the Christian Exodus, but this is the first time hearing about the Catholics.
If these people succeed in creating their own town, with their own rules, it has all the ingredients to be a cult. It is amazing how the government seems to not apply in these fenced-in places, and those in power inside have all the freedom to abuse their followers.
Well for one, I was wondering what a 'mullet wrapper' was. I know where I live we have many 'mullet ~rappers~', but that's a whole different ballgame. I'll leave that one alone.
The town I grew up in is very conservative. I tried opening up a gay/lesbian internet cafe and jazz club a few years ago. I was turned down by my own town because they thought the morality of it was negative. I didn't even say it was going to be 'gay and lesbian'......it was just presented to them as 'an internet cafe with live entertainment at night'-------but-------they knew that this town didn't have any of the sort here. One guy said, "You'll be bringing in those people that live in Greenwich Village! Forget about it! Is that how you want this town to be like? Those weirdos!"
I truly think it's fear of the unknown and intimidation of someone 'corrupting' them. If they're so strong in their faith in God, why can't they be amongst everyone? Do they think that someone will persuade them otherwise? Is it THAT tempting out there?
Hmmm.... I can go on and on about this but I'll shut up for now. It just sounds like the town I grew up in---which are all conservative a-holes. (There are good conservatives out there) but these are the extreme ones.
Great post.
What a bizarre idea. I don't even see why this would progress *past* a thought in the first place.
What happens to dominoes when you place them upright and too close together and one falls over?
I hadn't heard of that. It sounds very weird to me!
Here's what could happen if this city & others like it start cropping up all over the place:
In Athiestville, you can get arrested for saying, "God bless you," when someone sneezes.
Jamie Dawn, that's wickedly funny. And what happens when we have "Whitey Town
Uncle Joe, 'zactly!
Brianne, one of the things that defines a cult is behavior that is out of the norm. As you point out, normal people aren't intent on segregating themselves.
...more later, gotta go...
This will be a no-go as soon as they find out how much in shared state and federal funding they will have to forego.
I think that the only town that should be allowed to be like this should be "childmolesterville".....With ankle bracelets that scream when the bastards try to leave the city limits. Other than that....I could care less if religious groups (who aren't bombers or abortion fanatics....) have their own town. (The mormon fundamentalists in Arizona come to mind....even the authorities are in on the polygamy in that town...you should do an article on them!)
I lived in SC for a few years and the Christian Fundies can have it!
I bet Planned Parenthood would be incredibly busy if located just outside that Catholic town. Segregation shows a real lack of confidence in their followers.
I love your closing line - brilliantly put.
And you are right about using the word "cult" too. We are supposed to be in the world not of it, but we aren't supposed to seclude ourselves from society. Jesus himself ate with the tax collectors because they were the ones that needed help.
Ugh. Some people have so much zeal without good direction - it makes me crazy.
South Carolina? South Carolina?? You gotta be a world-class sophomore to run away to South Carolina!
And a Roman Catholic city? When you already have Louisiana, Texas, N.Mexico, Arizona, Southern California, Puerto Rico, Chicago and New York City? These people have way too much time on their hands.
I tease my militant atheist friend, asking him what state they're going to take over ... I didn't realize someone would actually set out to do it!
Rabbit Rabbit!
This is a problem. Namely, I can't get away from this guy. He's from my neck of the woods (Ann Arbor), where he built his pizza empire. Then he decided to build a Utopian subdivision- I think it was Wrightville after Frank Lloyd-and shortly after that he went on to build Ave Maria College there- now he's building the law school and what not down here near Ft. Myers. This will sum it up on Tom Monahan:
His executive employees were required to go out with buckets of blood and signs and picket abortion clinics one day a month. It's a scary combination of religion, power and money.
http://www.theonion.com/content/node/45814&rss=1
Please read this. TEll me this isn't silly. Discuss it for me. Oh. My. Goodness. It's a little crazy. Just a wee bit.
Nevermind...it's the onion and i think that's a farce site....they make up stories don't they? I had to go back and read.
Stevie, yeah, they're well-known for their spoofs. ;o)
Vicki, His executive employees were required to go out with buckets of blood and signs and picket abortion clinics one day a month. Seriously??? That is actually grounds for a major EEOC lawsuit if it's true!
Dddragon, funny! If there was Atheist City, and they banned all religions, would they jail missionaries? And would that be upheld constitutionally? Inquiring minds want to know...
Paul, personally, I'd like to see them take over North Dakota. That would show TRUE religious devotion. ANYone can move to South Carolina.
...more when I have time...
Eddo, thanks for the compliment! Years of writing, I suppose. I love a good clincher-line. ;o) You're right about the zeal. Too bad it can't be channelled more appropriately!
NotSoCrankyYankee, a very good point! I don't know if it's that they can't trust their followers, can't trust each other, or simply can't trust themselves!
SomeRandomGirl, I'd love to see Molesterville! But as to the Mormons, there are others of other faiths that live in their towns in Utah, and they don't impose their religious beliefs on others, for the most part. For instance, condoms have been passed out freely there (go here for a funny quote from David Letterman about it).
Old Hoss, one can only hope!
Deb, well, there's a lot of narrowmindedness in small towns in the deep south, but I'm surprised to hear of it in NY state!
Suzie, :D Your chipper, upbeat, giggly voice is heard in almost every post you make. You're a treasure. And yeah, *I* think it would constitute child abuse!
Jenn, I agree. At that point, it becomes a cult.
Ed, I understand there are "communities" but they're unhealthy as well. And how many times do we hear of hidden atrocities that are smothered by the leaders? Cover ups are so much easier when you have everything closely controlled like that.
Mike, ;o)
I am in complete agreement with you!
What is our country coming to when a religious town is being created?
Hope your father is better, Suar.
Barbara, thanks for asking! He IS much, much better and at home resting. Isn't it sad that America, the Melting Pot, is still only a stew?
mullet wrapper? *L*... you had me worried mullet hair cuts were coming back.
We have had a number of cities founded on religious basis (notably Salt Lake) let alone whats in Eds cornfields with Vedicville. Eventually they end up getting mainstreamed to some degree. The process though can be a bit painful
no porn??????? I suspect you will find Larry Flint in there next Tuesday hawking his wares
Rabbit, rabbit!
Yeah, that does sound pretty scary. I hope they don't outlaw bunny buns!
As I was reading this, I immediately thought of Jim Jones and Branch Davidians before you mentioned them. Curious, though, I went to the link and decided to read their "manifesto".
It all sounds good on paper, but fanatics do not have a good track record.
Those silly Catholics.... they just gave me another reason why I no longer practice the religion.
Does this mean we will have our own Vatican City with Pope and all right here in the USA? Hee hee, just joking, I had not heard of this, but if you ask me, it's out there, but any more I am not suprised at anything!
You can add Navoo, Illinois to the list of towns founded based on religion. That was the old Mormon headquarters before Salt Lake City. Also Pella, Iowa is inhabited by the Dutch and nothing is open on Sundays... including Wal-Mart.
I guess as long as they respect the laws of our nation and don't infringe upon our freedoms, we have little recourse is someone wants to start up their own town. I'm like you Saur, I don't like it but I don't know if we can stop it from happening.
I was watching "Primetime" last night about Colorado City, AZ. It is a polygamous town with inhabitants that look nothing less then psychotic and scary. The local police force(an arm of the government) enforces the law of the sect, not the law of the USA or AZ. I was sickened by what I saw, incest, child molestation and numerous other horrors, that are allowed and enforced by the local police. I wanted to throw up.
TSB, interesting! And creeeepy. I'm going to look into that. Thank goodness we still have the press. I can't believe that *I*, a Republican, am saying that. But the press has become our only watchdog. Thank heavens that freedom is guaranteed in the constitution.
Everyone else, sorry I haven't responded much to this one. I read them all, but am still battling this flu. And the additional repercussions: my neck is verrrry sore (the surgery has only helped so much).
How is wanting a "porn-free" town against one's civil liberties? How about the right to live in a place that promotes family values? Want birth control? Buy it somewhere else. Want to see x rated filth? Go somewhere else to watch it.Whether it's Catholic, Protestant,Baptist or other,I would want to live in a place with my children where there wasn't any x-rated filth,strip clubs,porn businesses etc. There is no redeeming value to having these "businesses" in our society, let alone in every town where everyone is exposed.( I'm sure the majority of men, who think it's harmless, would disagree)Look at our society! Don't we have enough perverts,pedophiles,rapists,sickos?
Funny, it seems our government(or the public) doesn't have a problem allowing the cult town of Warren Jeffs exist for years. You know, where they rape and force minor children to "marry" old men and keep them enslaved and defraud the gov't. by existing on welfare?
But everyone makes a big deal over one little town that doesn't want anti-family behavior within their city limits! If we have a right to have filth in our town, don't we have a right not to have it as well? See, civil liberties works both ways, or does it? Since when is "family values" deemed just a Catholic or christian issue? It used to be an American issue.
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