A group of Catholics in Northeastern Pennsylvania upset with “the secularist advance” is planning and advertising a rally which will take place at the Our Lady of Fatima grotto in Wilkes-Barre on October 12, 2013 at noon. In response to this rally, I am calling on local secularists to join me in protest of this “Public Square Rosary Crusade” in an attempt to educate attendees and passersby about secularism, atheism, and the separation of church and state.
A flyer I found advertising this upcoming rally contains the following text explaining the purpose of this ‘crusade’ and providing its location:
“Announcing the 2013 Public Square Rosary Crusade
America is at a historic crossroad. Secularists are trying to push God from the public square. They reject His beneficial action upon society. But without God, where will our leaders get the wisdom to solve the great problems we face?
We must stop the secularist advance and pray to God for help. He will hear us if we pray through the intercession of the Blessed Mother. That’s why we’re launching the 2013 Public Square Rosary Crusade.
[…]
Join the 2013 Public Square Rosary Crusade today!
What: The Holy Rosary
Where: Our Lady of Fatima Grotto
North Street, Wilkes-Barre, Penna.
Parking – Courthouse Parking Lot (Lower Level)
When: October 12, 2013
12:00 noon”
Alongside a group of secularists from the NEPA Freethought Society, I will stand on the sidewalk outside the Our Lady of Fatima Grotto holding the large “Nothing Fails Like Prayer” Freedom From Religion Foundation (FFRF) banner which adorned Public Square in early 2013 with hopes of peacefully and civilly interacting with demonstrating Catholics and passerby sending the message that belief in God and/or prayer will not aid politicians nor resolve any problems we may face.
The continued incursion of religion in governmental matters is unacceptable and needs to stop. We don’t need more religion in government; we need religion out of government. As the FFRF says, “God fixation won’t fix this nation.”
Join me in protest outside Wilkes-Barre’s Our Lady of Fatima Grotto at 11:30 AM on Saturday, October 12 in preparation for the ‘crusade.’ Prepare to interact with crusading Catholics and passerby in an excellent peaceful and civil educational opportunity.
RSVP today on the NEPA Freethought Society’s webpage and support your local secularists.