New Haven Independent

Posted by: CEdna | July 4, 2007 7:17 PM

The adults in the community have failed their children. Neighbors have failed each other, because they have failed to hold each other accountable. These ministers have failed their community by failing to lead. Leading is not showing up at press conference, and throwing out some silly ideas. The kids laugh at your t-shirts. Of course you would not know that, cuz you dont listen to them.

Pastor Mary, sitting down and talking with kids? Geeze, now we know why the kids are running the streets. What kids want and what they need are 2 diferent things pastor. What they need is discipline, parents, and swift consequences if they dont comply.

Rev Morris, are you kidding? Travel with cameras? How bout getting out of their cars? In fact how bout you getting out and walking the hood without all the press?

The police leadership is poor, so is the community activists.

Posted by: THREEFIFTHS | July 4, 2007 9:31 PM

I Agree With The Young Boy Who Said That He Did Not Think That Religion Was The Way. This Problem
Is Bigger Than Religion.Brother Morris Is A Good Brother Who Means Well But He Has To Understand That The Giant He Is Talking About Is Not The Community But The Giant Is The Political Pirates Who Call Themselves Politicians Who Sell Us Out.Also The Same Thing For These Sell Out \ Preachers Who Also Sell Us Out!!! What We Must Do As Community People Is Take It To
The Source And That Is City Hall, Ask Youself This Why Is It That Chief Ortiz Never Shows Up But He Stick Out Badger As He Did At The Last Meeting?How About A Summit In Which All Of Black
Clergy Come And Talk About How They Will Empty Out The Store House And Take That Money From The Store House And Collectively Buy The Q House So The Kids Will Have Something To Do!!!

Posted by: Ned | July 5, 2007 8:28 AM

Of course more superstition is the answer to everything. Don't these people realize how ridiculous their religious mumbo-jumbo sounds outside their community of make believe and invisible sky god friends? If "god (whichever one that might be: Zuess? the tooth fairy?) controls everything", then I suppose he, it(?) wants you to be ignorant and live in a crime ridden slum, so what's the problem? It's god's will. Why bother to try to understand or to learn anything. Ironic that there can be a Science Park, in New Haven, while, at the same time, so many people, in this town, apparently believe that the world works by magic. "Nothing fails like prayer."

Posted by: Gary Holder-Winfield | July 5, 2007 11:37 AM

Cedna:
What would you have Minister Morris do? Walk around with a gun so that he can, as you say, mete out "swift consequences if they don't comply" to attempts to discipline them. Would that be a better approach? I mean after all, showing up in the neighborhood (where most of those criticizing will not go with or without TV cameras) apparently isn't enough and getting to know these kids by talking to them as pastor Mary suggests she has, and we all should, isn't enough (funny that you both criticize them for not listening and having conversations with the same individuals.) And, while I am on the issue of not listening did you pay attention to the article where the child says that she felt better after the rally? Does that not matter? She was not the only one either - I was there I know. As small as it may seem to you that little bit of security or value she felt by their presence might just go a long way and that is more than I can say about those who aren't engaged.

Yes, there is a massive failure on the parts of many of us (and yes as involved as I am I include myself in the overall group) but let's not be so quick to cut down the efforts of those who are involved. You act as if Minister Morris has an automatic switch that turns him on when cameras appear - as if other than that he does nothing. If that is what you mean then you are wrong. If it is not then why complain about the cameras?

Posted by: on whalley | July 5, 2007 1:08 PM

Religion has become a scapegoat for an awful lot of these people. I believe in God to be sure. God is suppose to free people, prove to them that there is no king to answer to on this Earth not a politician, preacher or any other alleged authority figure. That idea has been twisted for power, control and for a convienient excuse. Some crooked preacher comes out and says dont take action, dont blame yourselves, dont recognize any of your problems and above all do not try to fix any of your problems. God will do it if God wills it. I'm willing to bet that attitude makes God sick. Keep prayin, keep tithing and if God wants you to be successful you'll be successful and God doesnt want your kid to get shot he wont.

The new God ranks right up there with government for both blaming and pleading. It's the concept of a higher power that gives men the will for revolution and the belief that no other man should be responsable for your protection, welfare or your failures except yourself and that no man may hold domain over any other man. God frees people. God inspires liberty. God doesnt sit on his rear and ask for help. God doesnt point fingers or lay blame. Whether God is some big white guy with a beard, a black guy with a staff or a flying spaghetti monster the notion of a high power keeps people free from tyranny and always looking for real freedom. When God is institutionalized and taught with threats and punishment you get totalitarianism, corruption, enslavement and people like this Morris guy.

Thanks alot for contributing to the enslavement of the masses you so-called holy man. It's people like this guy and the corrupt evangelicals who have given religion such a bad name around here. I couldnt think of less Godly thing to say than "God controls everything." We control it all. Free will anyone? Whoever decided to spin peoples faith into a mechanism of control was a genius. Using it for the exact opposite of what it was meant to be and profiting from it. Good stuff.