My protest of today’s Public Square Rosary Crusade went well (see a press release announcing the protest, an interview I had with a newspaper reporter, and more thoughts I offered on the event prior to the protest). A full report will be contained within tonight’s October 12 episode of Brave Hero Radio.
Alongside fellow secularists and atheists from the NEPA Freethought Society, I held the Freedom From Religion Foundation (FFRF) “Nothing Fails Like Prayer” banner outside the event; posed for a picture and answered questions for an interview to be included in an upcoming newspaper article; and conversed with a woman who engaged me in conversation (I also invited her to call the show tonight). Sadly, attendees largely refused to converse with us – much unlike those who attended the Circle the Square with Prayer event I protested in May 2013.
Passerby were mostly indifferent save one person who flipped the bird, one person who shook his head in disgust, and a person who gave a ‘thumbs up.’
The Public Square Rosary Crusade was similar to a standard Catholic mass; the event included many prayers asking for God to intercede in human affairs, the song “God Bless America,” a sermon urging people to maintain faith in God in spite of ‘tempests in our lives,’ and appeals for non-believers to turn to God so that they can know him and go to Heaven.
Banners reading “As human efforts fail to solve America’s key problems, we turn to God, though His Holy Mother, asking His urgent help” surrounded the grotto.
Photos from the protest are to come.
Tune in tonight for a full report and to call the show. If you miss the live broadcast, follow the same link for an archived version. See the episode description below.
Justin Vacula — joined by Karla Porter — will discuss his experience protesting the “Public Square Rosary Crusade” in Wilkes-Barre, PA hours following the event. See Vacula’s press release announcing the protest for more information. Fellow protesters are also welcome to join the discussion.
As always, callers, no matter their viewpoints, are welcome to join the discussion. Call the number on your screen, 718-766-4598, or click the Skype-to-call button on the show’s page when the show goes live to join the caller queue.Listen live, join the live chat, and use the same link following the live broadcast to stream and/or download the archived show.Opening music is provided by memewar.net. Break music is provided by Phil Giordana.Like what you hear? Please donate. Brave Hero Radio depends on support from listeners to remain online and continue offering unique live and on-the-scene conference reporting.