Most I hear from remark that it is their belief that controls that ‘proves’ their stand that this is the true word of god.
Really?

There is no healing when people fundamentally, religiously, mentally, and emotionally – think they are superior to someone else. You can’t heal that. When someone thinks God gave them the right to be “Right”. Once religious dogma enters the brain, all intellectual activity ceases…

I concur.

What we did was simply try to explain to reporters who asked what ABT was, how it differed from the larger national Aryan Brotherhood gang, and the nature of racist prison gangs in general. The idea that we diverted investigators from the real killer is ludicrous — does anyone really believe that on-the-ground investigators in Texas take their investigative cues from a civil rights organization in Alabama? Well, okay, a few nuts on the extreme right do, but no one with two brain cells to rub together could actually believe that.

In a similar vein, much of the far right press and blogosphere has accused SPLC (me, in particular) of pushing the narrative that the Boston bombers were domestic right-wing types (before they were caught). Though, again, this fits the narrative of the right — SPLC is merely a fundraising racket, etc. — it’s totally false. In fact, I went on national TV repeatedly to say that the only thing the targets (marathon runners and observers) had in common was that they were American (or perceived to be; I know one of the deaths was of a Chinese woman), and that suggested the attackers might be jihadists. I played down the idea that Massachusetts’ celebration of Patriots Day on the day of the bombing had anything to do with it; I pointed out that the day that counts for the radical right is April 19 (anniversary of Waco and the OKC bombing), not the third Monday in April when Massachusetts marks the day. On at least a few of the TV shows, I also suggested that it seemed more likely they were domestic jihadists, not foreign operatives, based on the relative crudeness of their plot. Even Bill O’Reilly, who bizarrely sees himself as nonpartisan and objective, got this totally, 100% wrong — he ran a whole segment attacking me for pushing the “left wing” narrative that the attack came from the radical right. Our CEO even wrote O’Reilly a note saying he owed me an apology and a retraction. It isn’t exactly shocking to report that the Fox News host has offered neither.

The right in this country apparently despises truth in all its forms.

Mark Potok

He and Ralph Reed are one in the same–they couldn’t do an honest days work in America, so, figured out a way to become part of the religious con game; mouth pieces for radical fundamentalist. No one can possibly believe believe a word of what they say as both have been reputed time and again…their entire existence revolves around their fabricated “reputation” as the “good christian” and, that’s it! Other than that, they have nothing else to offer society.

Now, I say this not to dismiss nay of his lying, cheating ways or the horrific mess he’s paid to create; but this is how he make a living. His “business” is not much different than the predatory business practices of Romney. Perkins’ business is to con the bottom feeder fundamentalist who can’t figure out how to survive in modern society by pretending to “help” them as he gleans profits from the all disasters he creates. It’s his niche. He’s a con man.

I don’t know of anything in the Bible that states Gays are not Christians or that they don’t belong in Church, etc.

Gays and Lesbians have been targeted by the same narrow minded ugly mud slinging bags that go after minorities and anyone else who bred outside of their family twigs.

It’s disgusting to see how people like Manning go to war with no honor, no code, and no self-respect. But what’s worse are those that follow in those footsteps.

It is the duty of all good citizens in this country to keep an eye on hate and those that promote it. Believe me they are keeping an eye on the rest of America who does not believe in their fatalist propaganda, those that go to a different church, those that have different skin colors, dress different, love differently, etc., etc…

The SPLC is merely a target for them because it is an organization made up of people who care and who in fact would like to see a better world, a better America.

Being the target of these groups pays a certain tribute and honor to the SPLC; these groups wouldn’t be targeting the SPLC if they didn’t believe them to be a threat to their existence.

So with keeping that in mind rally up the SPLC supporters and tell them to give and donate a little more…may the threat against hate grow strong…

And may the force be with the SPLC and all of their supporters. :)

I think these guys are just desperate to slander the SPLC since you guys do such a good job exposing them. The Silver lining to all this, maybe that SPLC is doing what it first set out to do.

I honestly don’t think that is the case. Lumped in with Westboro Baptist Church are just (IIRC) 14 other anti-gay hate groups. I would note, for example, that neither National Organization for Marriage nor Focus on the Family are designated as hate groups. Even Liberty Counsel gets a pass (much to my amazement and chagrin).

If I compiled the list, it would be several score. SPLC is far more, well, tolerant.

Their beef — and mine — is that political organizations and hate groups like the AFA, FRC, and others are using their “family” and “christian” label to distort, lie, and demonize — all to benefit their own agenda. They are right to say that there’s nothing Christian about their behavior. Unless lies are suddenly a Christian virtue.

the FRC seems to have settled on the defamatory “SPLC has been linked with terrorism in federal court.” They keep repeating it over and over again.

Today’s hit piece out of FRC claims that SPLC mislead investigators in the Kaufman County murders. It’s just nonsense. Even if SPLC was incorrect about AB’s responsibility. So what? It was clearly offered as a theory.

I am thoroughly disgusted with this BS. I cannot begin to image how SPLC staffers feel.