Rev. Rik Fire has been able to change the zoning laws for his house in order to offer grief counseling to those who would need it for no more than 10 hours a week. Sounds simple right? Some neighbors applaud his decision to spread goodness, but the majority of others have started up a witch hunt.
Rev. Rik Fire is an Interfaith Minister. As such, the townspeople are trying to force the local government to shut down his grief counseling for his own home. They are creating fear mongering and hatred towards his interfaith standings and want the local government to take away his zoning. He could have simply done it with no one knowing, and said friends and family were coming over. However Rev. Rik Fire is a law abiding family man, and went through the proper channels to obtain a permit.
The comments on blogs I have seen are terrible. One blog a lady commented that b/c there is a bus stop at the corner they are afraid for the children. The absurdity and single minded mob mentality has rendered me speechless. You would think in this day and age people would not say and do such things. Rik is offering counseling in the privacy of his own home. Should it be the concern of his neighbors what he does? I say not. "Judge not, that ye be not judged. For with what judgment ye judge, ye shall be judged: and with what measure ye mete, it shall be measured to you again."
As anyone who believes in freedom of ALL religions as promised us by our Constitution, I urge you to sign this petition and send to your friends. If one mob group focused on hate wins this, it will only embolden others to try to stamp out religious rights across the globe. Please help.
Rev. Rik Fire has been able to change the zoning laws for his house in order to offer grief counseling to those who would need it for no more than 10 hours a week. Sounds simple right? Some neighbors applaud his decision to spread goodness, but the majority of others have started up a witch hunt.
Rev. Rik Fire is an Interfaith Minister. As such, the townspeople are trying to force the local government to shut down his grief counseling for his own home. They are creating fear mongering and hatred towards his interfaith standings and want the local government to take away his zoning. He could have simply done it with no one knowing, and said friends and family were coming over. However Rev. Rik Fire is a law abiding family man, and went through the proper channels to obtain a permit.
The comments on blogs I have seen are terrible. One blog a lady commented that b/c there is a bus stop at the corner they are afraid for the children. The absurdity and single minded mob mentality has rendered me speechless. You would think in this day and age people would not say and do such things. Rik is offering counseling in the privacy of his own home. Should it be the concern of his neighbors what he does? I say not. "Judge not, that ye be not judged. For with what judgment ye judge, ye shall be judged: and with what measure ye mete, it shall be measured to you again."
As anyone who believes in freedom of ALL religions as promised us by our Constitution, I urge you to sign this petition and send to your friends. If one mob group focused on hate wins this, it will only embolden others to try to stamp out religious rights across the globe. Please help.
We the undersigned believe that Rev. Rick Fire should be able to offer grief counseling and any other religious services he likes in the privacy of his own home. He is not imposing on public space. He is not opening up a convenience store. He is giving the community something that few people do these days - his service.
Because this is in his own home, we believe that Rev. Fire should be able to do as he pleases without interference or retaliation from his neighbors. We urge you to support him in his endeavors and support religious freedom.
We signed the "Freedom of religion for Rev. Rik Fire in PA, USA" petition!
# 194:
9:35 am PST, Dec 24,Hillary Culver, Kentucky
# 192:
11:01 pm PST, Dec 1,Rebecca Lyn Oberstadt Hemingway, Florida
# 191:
5:33 pm PST, Nov 20,Luke Thomas, Florida
NOT REALLY working within the confines of law-there is a such thing as religious DISCRIMINATION, which is a violation of civil rights. Wiccan/pagan is a legitimate religion, by the way.
http://www.hud.gov/offices/fheo/FHLaws/
Fair Housing Laws and Presidential Executive Orders
The Fair Housing Laws:
Fair Housing Act
Title VIII of the Civil Rights Act of 1968 (Fair Housing Act), as amended, prohibits discrimination in the sale, rental, and financing of dwellings, and in other housing-related transactions, based on race, color, national origin, religion, sex, familial status (including children under the age of 18 living with parents or legal custodians, pregnant women, and people securing custody of children under the age of 18), and handicap (disability). More on the Fair Housing Act
# 190:
5:14 pm PST, Nov 15,Janine Gorski, Pennsylvania
# 189:
4:52 pm PST, Nov 15,Debz Luvz, Oklahoma
Ezekiel 24:14
" 'I the LORD have spoken. The time has come for me to act. I will not hold back; I will not have pity, nor will I relent. You will be judged according to your conduct and your actions, declares the Sovereign LORD.' "
Luke 6: 27-38 Jesus said:
27 "But I tell you who hear me: Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, 28 bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you. 29 If someone strikes you on one cheek, turn to him the other also. If someone takes your cloak, do not stop him from taking your tunic. 30 Give to everyone who asks you, and if anyone takes what belongs to you, do not demand it back. 31 Do to others as you would have them do to you. 32 "If you love those who love you, what credit is that to you? Even 'sinners' love those who love them. 33 And if you do good to those who are good to you, what credit is that to you? Even 'sinners' do that. 34 And if you lend to those from whom you expect repayment, what credit is that to you? Even 'sinners' lend to 'sinners,' expecting to be repaid in full. 35 But love your enemies, do good to them, and lend to them without expecting to get anything back. Then your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High, because he is kind to the ungrateful and wicked. 36 Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful. 37 "Do not judge, and you will not be judged. Do not condemn, and you will not be condemned. Forgive, and you will be forgiven. 38 Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you."
All are God's and there is a chance for all!
# 188:
8:08 am PST, Nov 14,Daniel Vis, Colorado
FREEDOM OF RELIGION MEANS ALL RELIGIONS/SPIRITUAL PATHS/BELIEFS!! When will people get this through their thick skulls & let others live & believe the way they choose as long as it harms none?? In this day & age, persecution of others for their spiritual views is RIDICULOUS!! the main reason for this is that people are unwilling to learn the truth about others. They'd rather live in fear & ignorance than to learn to COEXIST (yes, I have the bumper sticker). It's a shame when Christians don't want to follow their basoc tenets of "Do unto others as you would have them do unto you" & "Love one another". It'll be a GREAT day when people stop hating others for their differences & celebrate their similarities!! I'm a Pagan, a Patriot, a Parent, & Proud to be all of them!! NAMASTE' & BRIGHTEST BLESSINGS to all!!
# 187:
6:06 pm PST, Nov 11,Brian Toberman, Wisconsin
Why is it that someone doing good works is so hated be people who probably call themselves "Christians"?
# 186:
11:36 am PST, Nov 10,Sue Kemp, Maryland
Amazing...we are here in 2008 and this is happening. Archaic thinking and ignorance breeds injustice. Sending support and energy to Rev. Fire and his family. Blessings!
# 185:
9:19 am PST, Nov 10,Sarah Mooshian, Pennsylvania
# 184:
5:38 pm PST, Nov 9,Earle Baldwin, Massachusetts
A town has a right to exact obedience on the resident in so many ways. To deny one any visitation in any form is a violation of freedom of assembly. Pennsylvania,, settled by folks fleeing intolerance,,, shame on you
# 183:
3:17 pm PST, Nov 9,Jessica Morehead, Pennsylvania
This is a perfect example of a modern-day witch hunt. I'm proud to stand up, Pagan and unafraid of these narrow-minded bigots!
# 182:
3:08 pm PST, Nov 9,Wynd Armstrong, Pennsylvania
I am Pagan and a Pennsylvanian. This is obviously a case of religious discrimination. This man's home zoning was legally approved, and has nothing to do with Pagan spiritual practice or rituals. These neighbors need to be educated on zoning issues and religious freedom and what the differences between the two are.
# 181:
9:08 am PST, Nov 9,Sheila Kistner, Illinois
There is religious Freedom in the USA, if this was a Christian offering the same services no one would bat an eyelash at it. Conformity is not Freedom.
# 180:
7:51 am PST, Nov 9,Rene Carr, Massachusetts
This is important to me because I have a lot of dear friends in PA who are Pagan. And I'll tell you what they are the nicest people one could know. I think this is insane, people need to educate themselves on all religions because not 1 is better than the other. I'm catholic born and raised and I love my Pagen friends over alot of my own.
# 179:
7:51 am PST, Nov 9,Lois Johnson, Minnesota
in this day and age, where we are going overseas to ensure that others have their right to religion and democracy, and we cannot even have these same liberties at home??? Utterly ridiculous! The fact that the neighbors are so backwater, and hateful is a sobering reminder that freedom is not free, you will always have to fight for it. I am honored to put my name and with it, my weight of words behind this petition.
# 178:
4:20 am PST, Nov 9,Fanona Grace, Minnesota
This is only going to cause unnecessary problems to Rick and his family and for what? Because he is not in the mainstream religious beliefs? If he was of a minority race this intimidation would incite an uproar. If he was Jewish or Islamic there would be an uproar too! Why are Pagans considered fair game? They have religous freedoms guaranteed and protected under our constitution too!
# 177:
6:58 pm PST, Nov 8,Mulina Ludvigsen, Pennsylvania
Rev. Fire went through the proper township procedures to do in home counseling and his application was approved. It is unfortunate the residents are fearful of those who are pagan. May they open their minds, learn more about other religions/spiritual paths/cultures and practice tolerance and compassion for everyone. Blessings, Mulina
# 176:
7:42 am PDT, Nov 1,Tashia Mccarty, Maryland
# 175:
11:08 am PDT, Oct 31,Lea Caldwell, Michigan
# 174:
8:37 am PDT, Oct 28,Name not displayed, Kentucky
# 173:
4:46 pm PDT, Oct 12,Judi Michoski, Kentucky
I believe in equal rights for ALL human beings on this Earth in regards to Race, Sex, Religious Belief, and rights to choice! This is just another example of how completely UN-FREE we truly are in the United States of America!!!!
# 172:
7:27 pm PDT, Oct 11,Name not displayed, Kentucky
This is important because ignorance is causing fear. Freedom of religion means ANY religion! People need to try to understand first, and then judge; not the other way around.
# 171:
3:44 am PDT, Oct 11,Name not displayed, Greece
# 170:
2:59 pm PDT, Oct 10,Name not displayed, Indiana
As a pagan myself, I find this utterly disgusting. Rik Fire is doing absolutely NOTHING illegal, so there is no reason for these bigots to get all in a huff other than they don't like anything outside of Christianity. If they don't like it, they can move.
# 169:
12:49 pm PDT, Oct 10,Janice Redinger, Texas
Human rights are being lost left and right while a small group of fanatics are trying to run everyone's lives.
So, are they doing unto others as they would have others do to them? Are they following the commandments? Are they living a good life and allowing others to live theirs?
NO! It is the arrogance of humans to force others to follow their religion and no others. The fear is absolutely unfounded and being used as an excuse to create violence against your fellow man. Do you want to continue to be labeled as fanatics and fear mongers? Just because you refuse to follow the "Christian" rules that you are so bound to project? You are not Christians, you are just crazy and the world sees you that way.
# 168:
12:43 pm PDT, Oct 10,Sandra Sanford, Kentucky
There is no good reason to keep Pagans from engaging in perfectly legal activities. As a Pagan I take exception to this.
# 167:
9:58 am PDT, Oct 10,Cindy Bidwell Glaze, Kentucky
All laws were safely complied with. I was at his ordination, so I know he is a bona-fide minister. The officials can check the denominations records to find that. Can we let panicked, willingly ignorant people shut down a good work? If they are afraid, let them learn. I am sure Rik has tried. If they don't want to listen, it is they who need counseling, not Rik who needs to move his practice. His rights overwhelm their panic in my opinion. That should also be the law's opinion.
# 166:
6:37 pm PDT, Oct 4,Sarah Bennett, Texas
We need to be able to keep our freedoms.
# 165:
9:09 am PDT, Sep 27,Holly Boswell, North Carolina
Rik and Anna-Sara are some of the finest people I've ever known. Rather than fear them, why not get to know them and find out just what it is they are working so hard to bring to your community. Believe me, you will find only love and care, plus talent and rare insights.
# 164:
2:13 am PDT, Sep 15,Chuck Cunningham, Pennsylvania
# 163:
4:22 pm PDT, Sep 14,Jeff LaSalle, Pennsylvania
One of the seven principles of Unitarian Universalism is "Justice, equity, and compassion in human relations". The people who oppose Rik Fire's legal rights on the basis of their fears would deny him justice in due process to which he is entitled as an American citizen. They think their fear of what they don't know entitles them to threaten and coerce to get their way. They clearly don't know the meaning of compassion if they can oppose someone who counsels individuals through difficult periods in their lives. They cannot be allowed to spew their ignorance and intolerance without challenge.
# 162:
12:46 pm PDT, Sep 13,Kathy Cummings, South Carolina
There is freedom of all religions in this country, and this grief counseling is extremely helpful to a lot of people. They choose to see this man; it is not at all forced on anyone. What is wrong with that?
# 161:
7:02 pm PDT, Sep 12,Michael Walters, Denmark
# 160:
11:50 am PDT, Sep 12,Cindy Rubenstein, Pennsylvania
Reverend Rik Fire has a right by the constitution of the United States of America to practice any religion he wishes. And if this man is going to help people why should anyone stop him. The people who oppose Rik having a private practice are discriminating against him and other people. I know of many people who practice therapy out of their home and it is not a problem why is it for Rik? The people who oppose this should be ashamed of themselves!
# 159:
8:03 pm PDT, Sep 11,Roxie Schliesman, Wisconsin
# 158:
4:56 am PDT, Sep 11,David Spenser, United Kingdom
# 157:
3:50 pm PDT, Sep 10,Nancy Perez, Pennsylvania
I don't understand why people would want to stop something like this. EVERYONE needs some kind of counseling in their life, weather or not you want to admit it. I wish I had some place like this to go when I could of used it.
# 156:
1:31 pm PDT, Sep 10,Lauren Bernier, Florida
"I cannot be free unless you are free"
And vice versa.
# 155:
11:56 am PDT, Sep 10,Christina Perez, Pennsylvania
Mr. Fire has the right to freedom of religion just as any US citizen does. His beliefs shouldn't affect whether or not he can help people out of his home. He could have just as easily skirted the law, but he chose to do the right thing--and people are afraid of sending children to stand on the corner by his house? If he was so attentive to follow the rules with something that would never have been detected, then what in the world are you afraid he's going to do to your children? Maybe he could show them that people who aren't normal or Christian can live honorable giving lives, as opposed to their parents who are being bigots.
# 154:
9:39 am PDT, Sep 10,BiLL Fowlie, Maine
# 153:
5:58 am PDT, Sep 10,Yvonne Matienko, Pennsylvania
this is important to me because as a pagan/wiccan in the health care field,I have had to deal with hatred and bigotry even though I try not to get into religeous discussions or tell coworkers what religion I am due to fear.
# 152:
7:45 pm PDT, Sep 9,Laurie Brooks, Pennsylvania
This issue is important for a number of reasons. Rev. Fire is being discriminated against because he isn't the "acceptable" "standard" Christian. Last time I checked, this country was founded on the premise of Freedom of Religion. That doesn't mean freedom to pick just what Protestant sect you belong to, that means you decide what religion/faith/spiritual practice works for you. And you have that right, the freedom to make that choice. Not once has anyone said that he has been proselytizing in the neighborhood, he's not trying to talk anyone into anything. So how does this affect the neighbors? And ten hours of therapy a week? How on earth is that going to affect traffic flow? I've been to Rik's house: the street is quite wide for a side street. So someone is doing something different--wow. I guarantee that if any of the neighbors asked Rik any questions he would be happy to answer them. And that doesn't mean you have to convert, just understanding someone who believes something different than you might. And aren't the differences among us what makes America so wonderful? Laurie Brooks
# 151:
7:45 pm PDT, Sep 9,Laurie Brooks, Pennsylvania
This issue is important for a number of reasons. Rev. Fire is being discriminated against because he isn't the "acceptable" "standard" Christian. Last time I checked, this country was founded on the premise of Freedom of Religion. That doesn't mean freedom to pick just what Protestant sect you belong to, that means you decide what religion/faith/spiritual practice works for you. And you have that right, the freedom to make that choice. Not once has anyone said that he has been proselytizing in the neighborhood, he's not trying to talk anyone into anything. So how does this affect the neighbors? And ten hours of therapy a week? How on earth is that going to affect traffic flow? I've been to Rik's house: the street is quite wide for a side street. So someone is doing something different--wow. I guarantee that if any of the neighbors asked Rik any questions he would be happy to answer them. And that doesn't mean you have to convert, just understanding someone who believes something different than you might. And aren't the differences among us what makes America so wonderful? Laurie Brooks
