Life & Faith is a monthly, anyone-can-drop-in gathering for people interested in comparing notes as we each figure out how our faith interacts with day-to-day life. Our September 3 "where and when" are at the bottom of this description of our proposed topic for conversation.
Proposed topic
At our August gathering, table 1 said they wanted to talk more about this question:
“If Jesus were here tonight, what would he say to you?”
Table 2 wanted to talk more about this question:
“How do I balance anger and love?”
I propose this “for instance” from the Bloomington, Indiana, farmer’s market to get our conversation started (sometimes a concrete example helps conversation).
Sarah Dye, an organic farmer who has sold at the market for many years, has been identified by some as being Volkmom, a person who has posted comments on a white identitarian (Identity Evropa) website. Volkmom expresses concern that whites are discriminated against, but she never encourages violence against anyone (read examples of the posts).
Sarah Dye has never discussed her political opinions at the market, and says she never intends to do so; the market is where she and her husband do business. She has not confirmed that she is Volkmom nor has any law enforcement agency verified that identity. When asked if she is a white supremacist, she says she is not; she is proud of her white identity. Members of Identity Evropa have been convicted for defacing the Carmel, IN, synagogue; one of them say they know a woman named Sarah in Identity Evropa. There is other evidence connecting Sarah Dye to Volkmom.
Farmers and patrons at the market have asked the market board to remove Sarah’s farm from the market. Some say they do not feel safe with her (and her supporters) there; others say they don’t think Bloomington should support people with those views by giving them space at the market.
The town and market are in an uproar; protesters from both sides are showing up at the market. Those opposing Sarah are passing out buttons that say “Don’t buy veggies from Nazis” and are blocking access to her stand. The local chapter of Antifa (the group that pulled down the confederate monument in Durham) is protesting. People who support Sarah and white identitarian views asked if she wanted them to come defend her; she said they should not come. She trusts the Bloomington police to keep her safe should a problem arise. They are showing up anyway, some with guns. Market and town meetings are becoming angry events.
This small, local farmers market has come under national scrutiny, escalating the tensions. (references at the bottom of this post)
If we were with Jesus in Bloomington, what would he say to us? How would we balance anger and love?
Where and when
Life & Faith
September 3, Tuesday
Arrive at 6:30PM if you want to order dinner; conversation from 7-8PM
Wilson's Eatery, 1053 E. Whitaker Mill Road, Raleigh
look for the Life & Faith comma at our table (outside if the weather is nice)
References
The in-depth NYT article is available online if you have a subscription.
Local station fox59
Indiana Daily Student
- submitted by Jane Smith, convener of Life & Faith
Proposed topic
At our August gathering, table 1 said they wanted to talk more about this question:
“If Jesus were here tonight, what would he say to you?”
Table 2 wanted to talk more about this question:
“How do I balance anger and love?”
I propose this “for instance” from the Bloomington, Indiana, farmer’s market to get our conversation started (sometimes a concrete example helps conversation).
Sarah Dye, an organic farmer who has sold at the market for many years, has been identified by some as being Volkmom, a person who has posted comments on a white identitarian (Identity Evropa) website. Volkmom expresses concern that whites are discriminated against, but she never encourages violence against anyone (read examples of the posts).
Sarah Dye has never discussed her political opinions at the market, and says she never intends to do so; the market is where she and her husband do business. She has not confirmed that she is Volkmom nor has any law enforcement agency verified that identity. When asked if she is a white supremacist, she says she is not; she is proud of her white identity. Members of Identity Evropa have been convicted for defacing the Carmel, IN, synagogue; one of them say they know a woman named Sarah in Identity Evropa. There is other evidence connecting Sarah Dye to Volkmom.
Farmers and patrons at the market have asked the market board to remove Sarah’s farm from the market. Some say they do not feel safe with her (and her supporters) there; others say they don’t think Bloomington should support people with those views by giving them space at the market.
The town and market are in an uproar; protesters from both sides are showing up at the market. Those opposing Sarah are passing out buttons that say “Don’t buy veggies from Nazis” and are blocking access to her stand. The local chapter of Antifa (the group that pulled down the confederate monument in Durham) is protesting. People who support Sarah and white identitarian views asked if she wanted them to come defend her; she said they should not come. She trusts the Bloomington police to keep her safe should a problem arise. They are showing up anyway, some with guns. Market and town meetings are becoming angry events.
This small, local farmers market has come under national scrutiny, escalating the tensions. (references at the bottom of this post)
If we were with Jesus in Bloomington, what would he say to us? How would we balance anger and love?
Life & Faith
September 3, Tuesday
Arrive at 6:30PM if you want to order dinner; conversation from 7-8PM
Wilson's Eatery, 1053 E. Whitaker Mill Road, Raleigh
look for the Life & Faith comma at our table (outside if the weather is nice)
References
The in-depth NYT article is available online if you have a subscription.
Local station fox59
Indiana Daily Student
- submitted by Jane Smith, convener of Life & Faith