Rev. J. Anthony Lloyd idiocy 20191108

The Rev J. Anthony Lloyd is mentally ill November 11, 2019

Harold J. Wolfe abetterframingham.org

In response to Rev. Lloyd's rant "Speaking Out For Our Children", I would like to point out as a rabid atheist that every religious thought, every sacred text, every holy scripture, every prophet and every divine revelation initially derives from a false assertion that there exists one god. See Genesis 1:1. Wouldn't it be nice if one person could show me one scrawny little god. Anyone seen one in the last 100,000 years of history? Believing in a an all powerful creature controlling the universe is a mental illness, until someone shows me such a creature.
It is both the good reverend Lloyd and Rabbi Sharon Sobel that carry around their bible in which their god inerrantly states very clearly and unambiguously in Leviticus 18:32 and Deuteronomy 13 and Leviticus 24:16 that homosexuals and unbelievers should be killed (by stoning). The jews get in trouble because of Deuteronomy 14:2. This does not play well with the Jesus/Allah believers. Imagine if you will a second grader stating to his class, "I am better than you because my god chose me over you."
Atheists do not have such a book of hate like the bible or quran that set clear lines of division within our society and support both misogyny and slavery.
I would be delighted to have a very lively public discussion on AF/TV with Rev. Lloyd and Rabbi Sharon Sobel (and Mayor Yvonne Spicer) on the issue of god's existence.
Given the religiousity of AF/TV management (Jewish), I doubt that will happen.
The absurdity of religion can best be viewed by examining the names of all the churches/temples/mosques in Framingham.

Harold J. Wolfe 65 Delmar Avenue Framingham, MA 01701 hjwolfe@gmail.com

The Rev J. Anthony Lloyd is mentally ill	November 11, 2019
Harold J. Wolfe	abetterframingham.org
In response to Rev. Lloyd's rant "Speaking Out For Our Children", I would like to point out as a rabid atheist that every religious thought, every sacred text, every holy scripture, every prophet and every divine revelation initially derives from a false assertion that there exists one god. See Genesis 1:1. Wouldn't it be nice if one person could show me one scrawny little god. Anyone seen one in the last 100,000 years of history? Believing in a an all powerful creature controlling the universe is a mental illness, until someone shows me such a creature. It is both the good reverend Lloyd and Rabbi Sharon Sobel that carry around their bible in which their god inerrantly states very clearly and unambiguously in Leviticus 18:32 and Deuteronomy 13 and Leviticus 24:16 that homosexuals and unbelievers should be killed (by stoning). The jews get in trouble because of Deuteronomy 14:2. This does not play well with the Jesus/Allah believers. Imagine if you will a second grader stating to his class, "I am better than you because my god chose me over you." Atheists do not have such a book of hate like the bible or quran that set clear lines of division within our society and support both misogyny and slavery. I would be delighted to have a very lively public discussion on AF/TV with Rev. Lloyd and Rabbi Sharon Sobel (and Mayor Yvonne Spicer) on the issue of god's existence. Given the religiousity of AF/TV management (Jewish), I doubt that will happen. The absurdity of religion can best be viewed by examining the names of all the churches/temples/mosques in Framingham. Harold J. Wolfe 65 Delmar Avenue Framingham, MA 01701 hjwolfe@gmail.com

OP-ED: I Am Speaking Out For Our Children, Our Future, and Our Framingham November 8, 2019

Susan Petroni, Framingham Source Editor 508-315-7176 Framingham Source

FRAMINGHAM - This is Not Framingham! If it is then we are long past the time as a community to stand up to racism, sexism, homophobia, and anti-Semitism in our community.
These most recent incidents at Framingham State University, Framingham High School, The Christa McAuliffe Charter School and now the Framingham Youth Football & Cheer Leading Program speak to an alarming trend of unacceptable behavior and thinking. In this most recent incident the most vulnerable members of our community, our children, have been failed by leadership that is in place to protect them.
The recent string of accusations speaks to a community in crisis that cannot be left unaddressed. We can have no healing or restoration without first calling out what is hatred and evil.
We must name it to eradicate it. We can't even talk about diversity or being a diverse community when the least among us can't feel safe.
Our 6th graders on the field don't have a voice, so adults must speak for them. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr said it best "For evil to succeed, all it needs is for good men (women) to do nothing".
We are failing our children and failing our community and responsible leadership must step up.
As an African American in this community, when hatred comes after our children, then you come after all of us! If my children can entertain you on the field under "the Friday Night lights of American sports" and then you talk about shooting us during the day, then this is nothing less than Modern Day KKK behavior, no longer hiding under white sheets but now in chat rooms and blogs.
I call for an open, independent and transparent investigation of these latest accusations and that the community is provided with answers, and in a timely manner. What has been alleged to have been going on has been going on too long already.
To have three board members\ coaches fired and now ask us as a community to accept that this same board can police themselves is unacceptable and adds insult to integrity. This is too much-failed leadership on top of failed leadership. It is in moments like this that the test of leadership and the character of leadership are demonstrated. The community has been failed and our children have been failed, don't do it again!
To those who are elected to lead us as a community and say nothing, shame on you! Your silence condones what is happening in our community, and your silence gives assent to this cancer that is in our community. Silence is never golden, it is corrupt and feeds into a perception that we go along to play along.
One of the most sacred of relationships in community (coach\ player) has been broken by the failure of people in leadership to do their job. We may be winning on the field of play, but on the field of life where character is molded and taught, we have failed our children and failed our community. Keep our Children safe!
We must all re engage, or for others to engage for the first time, and say I (make it personal, for it is personal) will take ownership for not just my family, but my neighbors, and my community.
If we don't, then we fool ourselves for we don't have community. When we fail to hear the cries of our children, be they in our schools, on the playing fields our in communities then we as a community have lost our way, and possibly our souls. This is a moral turning point; ALL of us must not only talk the talk, but walk the walk and speak with one voice as loud as we can.
Now is the time to courageously engage in conversation, education, and pursuit of ideals of justice, equality, and power. To those who are still blind and say we have no problem, I will not sit back and watch "Rome" burn. Neither will I become the "blind leading the blind".
Systematic hatred and racism is institutionalized in our society, and victims of this oppression cannot do it alone. It means all of us must do our part, in our own corner of Framingham, and must come together as one to engage these battles.
In moments like this I am reminded of the German Lutheran pastor, Martin Niemoller when facing Hitler he said:" First they came for the socialists, and I did not speak out-because I was not a socialist. Then they came for the trade unionist, and I did not speak out because I was not a trade unionist. Then they came for the Jews, and I did not speak out because I was not a Jew. Then they came for me and there was no one left to speak for me."
I am speaking out for our children, our future and the Framingham I believe we can become!
Rev. Dr. J. Anthony Lloyd
Pastor, Greater Framingham Community Church

OP-ED: I Am Speaking Out For Our Children, Our Future, and Our Framingham	November 8, 2019
Susan Petroni, Framingham Source Editor 508-315-7176	Framingham Source
FRAMINGHAM - This is Not Framingham! If it is then we are long past the time as a community to stand up to racism, sexism, homophobia, and anti-Semitism in our community. These most recent incidents at Framingham State University, Framingham High School, The Christa McAuliffe Charter School and now the Framingham Youth Football & Cheer Leading Program speak to an alarming trend of unacceptable behavior and thinking. In this most recent incident the most vulnerable members of our community, our children, have been failed by leadership that is in place to protect them. The recent string of accusations speaks to a community in crisis that cannot be left unaddressed. We can have no healing or restoration without first calling out what is hatred and evil. We must name it to eradicate it. We can't even talk about diversity or being a diverse community when the least among us can't feel safe. Our 6th graders on the field don't have a voice, so adults must speak for them. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr said it best "For evil to succeed, all it needs is for good men (women) to do nothing". We are failing our children and failing our community and responsible leadership must step up. As an African American in this community, when hatred comes after our children, then you come after all of us! If my children can entertain you on the field under "the Friday Night lights of American sports" and then you talk about shooting us during the day, then this is nothing less than Modern Day KKK behavior, no longer hiding under white sheets but now in chat rooms and blogs. I call for an open, independent and transparent investigation of these latest accusations and that the community is provided with answers, and in a timely manner. What has been alleged to have been going on has been going on too long already. To have three board members\ coaches fired and now ask us as a community to accept that this same board can police themselves is unacceptable and adds insult to integrity. This is too much-failed leadership on top of failed leadership. It is in moments like this that the test of leadership and the character of leadership are demonstrated. The community has been failed and our children have been failed, don't do it again! To those who are elected to lead us as a community and say nothing, shame on you! Your silence condones what is happening in our community, and your silence gives assent to this cancer that is in our community. Silence is never golden, it is corrupt and feeds into a perception that we go along to play along. One of the most sacred of relationships in community (coach\ player) has been broken by the failure of people in leadership to do their job. We may be winning on the field of play, but on the field of life where character is molded and taught, we have failed our children and failed our community. Keep our Children safe! We must all re engage, or for others to engage for the first time, and say I (make it personal, for it is personal) will take ownership for not just my family, but my neighbors, and my community. If we don't, then we fool ourselves for we don't have community. When we fail to hear the cries of our children, be they in our schools, on the playing fields our in communities then we as a community have lost our way, and possibly our souls. This is a moral turning point; ALL of us must not only talk the talk, but walk the walk and speak with one voice as loud as we can. Now is the time to courageously engage in conversation, education, and pursuit of ideals of justice, equality, and power. To those who are still blind and say we have no problem, I will not sit back and watch "Rome" burn. Neither will I become the "blind leading the blind". Systematic hatred and racism is institutionalized in our society, and victims of this oppression cannot do it alone. It means all of us must do our part, in our own corner of Framingham, and must come together as one to engage these battles. In moments like this I am reminded of the German Lutheran pastor, Martin Niemoller when facing Hitler he said:" First they came for the socialists, and I did not speak out-because I was not a socialist. Then they came for the trade unionist, and I did not speak out because I was not a trade unionist. Then they came for the Jews, and I did not speak out because I was not a Jew. Then they came for me and there was no one left to speak for me." I am speaking out for our children, our future and the Framingham I believe we can become! Rev. Dr. J. Anthony Lloyd Pastor, Greater Framingham Community Church

Sign Petition To Stop Hate in Framingham November 8, 2019

Susan Petroni, Framingham Source Editor 508-315-7176 Framingham Source

This was submitted to Source by Liz Garrigan-Byerly.
FRAMINGHAM - We are deeply disturbed by the racist, sexist and homophobic exchanges between Framingham Youth Football & Cheerleading coaches that were exposed this week.
These coaches were entrusted with the most vulnerable and impressionable members of our community, our youth. The damage they have done is serious.
Trust has been broken, the community is hurting and our children are not safe. We need transparency and an independent investigation to bring integrity, wholeness and restoration.
Coming on the heels of anti-semitic and racist incidents in our schools, we are compelled to call out the evil of racism and bigotry in our community and to call upon the community to engage in serious and meaningful dialogue about the deep roots of racism in our culture and community.
Racism and other forms of systemic oppression are woven into the fabric of our national history, identity and governance. So too are the values of equality and freedom, and the courage to make them real for all people.
We call upon the entire Framingham community to be courageous in this troubling moment.
We commit to having real conversations about the underlying issues of systemic racism and hatred. We commit to exploring our own biases, privileges and hatreds until they no longer have power over us. We commit to leading the community to embody the values of equality and equity for all our residents.
We commit to staying the course and we ask you to join us. Martin Luther King, Jr, once said, "For evil to succeed, all it needs is for good men [sic] to do nothing." May we not let evil succeed in Framingham.
Signed:
Liz Garrigan-Byerly, Metrowest Immigrant Solidarity Network & FPS parent
Sign the petition
Rev. Dr. Debbie Clark, Edwards Church, UCC & Open Spirit
Susan Petroni, Owner of Framingham SOURCE
Dr. Martin Cohen, Metrowest Health Foundation
Rabbi Sharon Sobel, Temple Beth Am
Dr. Anna Cross, Metrowest Nonprofit Network
Terry Carl
Suze Craighead
Rev. Don Remick, MACUCC
Rev. Dr. J. Anthony Lloyd, Greater Framingham Community Church
Rev. Greg Morisse, Plymouth UCC
Rev. Will Tanner, Plymouth UCC
Father Don Pachuta, St. Luke's
Mrs. Shaheen Akhtar
Rev. Tracey Robinson-Harris, First Parish Framingham
Rev. Dr. Fran Bogle
Peggy Harrison
Wider Missions Board of Edwards Church
Helen Berman
Rev. Dorian Botsis
Heather Gonzalez
Dr. Ronda Yeomans
Rev. Dr. Karen Nell Smith, Edwards Church
Eleanor Kell
Robin Bevilacqua

Sign Petition To Stop Hate in Framingham	November 8, 2019
Susan Petroni, Framingham Source Editor 508-315-7176	Framingham Source
This was submitted to Source by Liz Garrigan-Byerly. FRAMINGHAM - We are deeply disturbed by the racist, sexist and homophobic exchanges between Framingham Youth Football & Cheerleading coaches that were exposed this week. These coaches were entrusted with the most vulnerable and impressionable members of our community, our youth. The damage they have done is serious. Trust has been broken, the community is hurting and our children are not safe. We need transparency and an independent investigation to bring integrity, wholeness and restoration. Coming on the heels of anti-semitic and racist incidents in our schools, we are compelled to call out the evil of racism and bigotry in our community and to call upon the community to engage in serious and meaningful dialogue about the deep roots of racism in our culture and community. Racism and other forms of systemic oppression are woven into the fabric of our national history, identity and governance. So too are the values of equality and freedom, and the courage to make them real for all people. We call upon the entire Framingham community to be courageous in this troubling moment. We commit to having real conversations about the underlying issues of systemic racism and hatred. We commit to exploring our own biases, privileges and hatreds until they no longer have power over us. We commit to leading the community to embody the values of equality and equity for all our residents. We commit to staying the course and we ask you to join us. Martin Luther King, Jr, once said, "For evil to succeed, all it needs is for good men [sic] to do nothing." May we not let evil succeed in Framingham. Signed: Liz Garrigan-Byerly, Metrowest Immigrant Solidarity Network & FPS parent Sign the petition Rev. Dr. Debbie Clark, Edwards Church, UCC & Open Spirit Susan Petroni, Owner of Framingham SOURCE Dr. Martin Cohen, Metrowest Health Foundation Rabbi Sharon Sobel, Temple Beth Am Dr. Anna Cross, Metrowest Nonprofit Network Terry Carl Suze Craighead Rev. Don Remick, MACUCC Rev. Dr. J. Anthony Lloyd, Greater Framingham Community Church Rev. Greg Morisse, Plymouth UCC Rev. Will Tanner, Plymouth UCC Father Don Pachuta, St. Luke's Mrs. Shaheen Akhtar Rev. Tracey Robinson-Harris, First Parish Framingham Rev. Dr. Fran Bogle Peggy Harrison Wider Missions Board of Edwards Church Helen Berman Rev. Dorian Botsis Heather Gonzalez Dr. Ronda Yeomans Rev. Dr. Karen Nell Smith, Edwards Church Eleanor Kell Robin Bevilacqua

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