Wednesday, March 3, 2010

Repent Amarillo

I don't normally follow the Christian nutjob scene in Texas, but this caught my eye while I was reading Pharyngula; a group called Repent Amarillo.

Aside from having one of the most ghastly looking websites it's ever been my displeasure to have to see (complete with little java snowflakes in the background and an unreadable font color on a dark background), these yahoos seem to have taken it upon themselves to be the religious enforcers for the greater Amarillo area. Anyone care to guess which religion it is?

A couple of things of immediate impact to the Pagan and Heathen community are these items from their "mission". Places and things that will be "targeted" by their "groups' include:
Earth worship events such as “Earth Day”

Halloween events

Idolatry locations such as palm readers, false religions, and witchcraft. Many of the smaller missions listed above may be just prayer oriented missions for tearing down demonic strongholds or they may involve more aggressive use of soldiers and prayer warriors. Some other missions occasionally employed may be “undercover operations” where the groups show up together but are not publicly visible together to effect the outcome of a public meeting such as city commissioners meetings, etc.
I am particularly intrigued by the use of the phrase "more aggressive use of soldiers and prayer warriors". What might that entail? Breaking the windows at Night Sky? Busting up a psychic fair at the local Unitarian church? (They apparently have a problem with Unitarians, too.) Disrupting a Pagan Pride Day picnic at a public park? Just how "aggressive" are they prepared to go? The imagery on the website certainly suggests it's a step or two beyond just handing out Chick Tracts and silent prayer.

In fact, they've got a whole map of places they're none too pleased with (which Patty Wigington mentioned a month or two ago on her blog). Pagans, sex, the occult, and idolotry! Or, perhaps worst of all, they list all the Christian churches in town they deem to be "heretical".

Although I must say I'd love to see how these guys fare trying to bust up an Asatru or Theodish gathering. See how much of a stomach they really have for fighting.