Lawsuit against Scott Lively, Springfield evangelist and gubernatorial candidate

[SecularMotion]

SPRINGFIELD - A federal judge set deadlines in the crimes against humanity lawsuit filed by a human rights group against local evangelist Scott Lively, however no trial date has been set and the next pretrial conference is not scheduled until 2015.

U.S. District Court Judge Michael A. Ponsor set a deadline late last year for lawyers to exchange discovery but put off deadlines to file final motions and disclose information about witnesses until next year. The next pretrial hearing is set for May 6, 2015.

Lively was in 2012 sued by Sexual Minorities Uganda. He is accused of fanning anti-gay flames in the East African country during an address to parliament members in 2009. The complaint alleges Lively encouraged government-backed acts of violence against gays as a result of his rhetoric.

Lively has denied this, and has contended chiefly that his First Amendment rights protect free speech. The founder of "Abiding Truth Ministries," Lively is a Springfield resident, lawyer and author who late last year announced a run for governor.

http://www.masslive.com/news/index.ssf/2014/01/no_trial_date_set_in_scott_liv.html#incart_river_default

[edhopper]

1. But don't we have to be tolerant of religious beliefs?

I mean they aren't really forcing disastrous, evil laws here in the USA.

That they are exporting them to other countries with horrible results is beside the point.

[cbayer]

3. Personal religious beliefs and actions based on those beliefs are two entirely separate things.

This is a weak soup you are peddling.

It's not hard to make the distinction and it is crystal clear in this case.

It saddens me to see the arguments for tolerance being turned against those that are making them, particularly on a progressive/liberal board. Tolerance, particularly when it comes to an individuals beliefs, has always been a hallmark of the liberal/progressive democrat, imo.

[edhopper]

4. I don't think it is wrong to challenge anyone's beliefs

the avenue and method of those challenges depends on how a person states their beliefs and how they act on them. This person deserves no tolerance IMO.

[cbayer]

5. One can challenge and still be tolerant of the person as an individual, can't they.

I can challenge all kinds of people that hold positions different than mine and that is not necessarily intolerance at all.

And yes, this persons beliefs have led to some despicable actions. That is intolerable and to be actively fought against.

Very glad to see that he is facing some very serious charges here.

[edhopper]

7. Yes

as I said, it is dependent on the person and the beliefs.
Wouldn't you agree.

[cbayer]

8. I try to make the distinction between beliefs and behavior,

and not just in the area of religion.

I have a very high tolerance for people with rather severe psychiatric symptoms, including true delusions. That is, I have a high degree of tolerance up to the point where their behavior may start to infringe on my or others rights or impair their ability to live safely in society.

Mental health laws are generally based on danger to self, danger to others or grave disability (unable to care for one's basic needs of food, shelter, etc.).

If we could apply these same kinds of rules to those who believe or don't believe, I think it might be useful.

So, instead of saying that all believers or non-believers are (put favorite pejorative here), tolerance would mean saying something else. It might be, I totally disagree with what that group thinks, but as long as they don't present a danger and can take care of themselves, then I'm going to let that ride.

The definition of "danger" can become sticky and the point of contention. I personally believe that creationists who want to teach it as a science present a danger to our society. Same for climate change deniers.

But if you believe in creationism and just hold it as a personal belief, why should I care?

[edhopper]

9. I understand

but you should care because I guarantee that will affects things like how the person votes. Now if they are pleasant and not an asshole about it, engaging in a conversation to make them think about the facts which might make them see they are wrong would be a good approach.

I don't think you are right that what they believe doesn't matter because it's just a personal belief, it ALWAYS affects their decisions.

[Warren Stupidity]

10. How does one have a pleasant conversation with a person who advocates killing all homosexuals?

[edhopper]

11. You don't

we were talking about an imaginary creationist.
Perhaps you are just replying to my last post, not the whole thread?
If you follow the thread i said that tolerance should reflect the person it is given, or not given.
The asshole in the OP deserves none. as I clearly stated.

[cbayer]

12. And when it effected their voting behavior, for example, I might object

and challenge them. But I can do it in a civil and respectful way that would represent tolerance.

I think there are beliefs that don't effect decisions that impinge on others. I think everyone has such beliefs.

By the way, the main program of the SPLC that is aimed at hate groups is "Teaching Tolerance". This is a group that I very strongly support. And being who they are, I don't think they chose the term tolerance without a great deal of thought as to what this meant.

The recent attempts here to make this into a dirty word are lame.

[cbayer]

2. Glad to see this is still going on.

He's running for governor of Massachusetts???

Good luck with that.

[libodem]

6. Hope they sue him back to the stone age

Which Is Where His Small Minded Cruel Agenda Fits. He is worried about his rights to speak bigotry and discrimination to marginalize a whole group of people? No concern for the 'rights' of others to have protection from being targeted for persecution, prison, and death?

What Is Wrong With These monsters?!

[cbayer]

13. Or even further back, like to the age of the dinosaurs.

Then he could see what it would have really been like if man and dinosaurs had coexisted.

My bet?

Dinosaurs beat Scott Livingston in a landslide.

[libodem]

14. Heck yeah

What gives him the right to insinuate himself into anyone's personal life? Or a whole countries' religion or politics. Or should I say poison their politics? He needs to personally pay for any damages to anyone harmed by his abject ignorance. It is mind boggling.

[cbayer]

15. It is mind boggling and he is a monster, imo.

I am glad to see the kinds of actions that they are going to try and take against him.

The trial should be very interesting to follow.

[libodem]

16. Absolutely

It will float my boat. And yours, too. Hope all is well on the water!
I have some friends who have a couple of sail boats and love Mexico.

You are living their dream. (Not sure what style your boat actually is)

[cbayer]

17. I am living a lot of people's dream,

including my own.

Tell your friends that the only way to make this happen is to set a drop dead date.

I've known too many people who spent their lives talking about it. Talking won't get you there.

I live on a sailboat and it's perfect (except for not having a bathtub - that I miss).

[pinto]

18. LOL.

[cbayer]

19. He's going to be a snack!