Faith

Historic NYC Church Will Hold Pro-Occupy May Day ‘Teach-In‘ Today to Coincide With ’General Strike’

Back in November, Occupy Wall Street protesters cut through a fence on a lot owned by Trinity Church, a major landowner in Manhattan. Faith leaders, of course, were immensely surprised by the act of aggression, especially considering that the house of worship had been very supportive of the Occupiers (they provided them with bathrooms, free Internet and other services).

But now, months later, the Episcopal house of worship is overtly supporting the Occupiers’ May Day protests with a special “teach-in” event. Additionally, the church’s web site shows other examples of in-depth and deep-rooted praise for the movement’s adherents.

Trinity Wall Street Holds Pro Occupy May Day Teach In Event
A screen shot from the TrinityWallStreet.org web site

On its web site, Trinity is advertising the pro-Occupy teach-in event and claiming that it is being held in an effort to “support and reflect upon the Occupy Wall Street movement.” Here’s the official description for the initiative, which seems to serve as a blend of Occupy praise and worship:

In an effort to support and reflect upon the Occupy Wall Street movement, Trinity Wall Street will host an event on Tuesday, May 1, 2012, featuring author Joyce Carol Oates, psychiatrist Robert Jay Lifton, historian Blanche Wiesen Cook, The Rev. Dr. Jim Forbes, and others. From 2-5pm, religious and secular thinkers will speak about the moral and political issues that confront the Occupy movement and all those concerned with justice and reconciliation. Part conference, part spiritual renewal, and part rally, the event will consist of a series of brief talks, sermons, and musical interludes.

While no longer encamped at Zuccotti Park, the Occupy Wall Street movement has found a permanent place in the political landscape. It is perhaps one of the most important movements since the Civil Rights and antiwar movements of the 50s and 60s. This event is intended in the spirit of teach-ins and Trinity’s own community-building efforts during that era, and coincides with a general May Day strike planned by Occupy Wall Street.

As stated, the event will include professors, Occupy officials, faith leaders and others. Forbes, for one, has been highly content with the movement, even taking to his Huffington Post blog to praise it.

“It is inconceivable that this movement is not in some way a press toward making America a more democratic society, both socially and economically,” the minister of Riverside Church in New York City wrote back in November.

Trinity Wall Street Holds Pro Occupy May Day Teach In Event

This, of course, is only one example of the sort of language that will likely be issued during the teach-in event at Trinity.

Initially, the general public was invited to attend and to hear from the long list of presenters (published on the church’s web site). On Monday, though, Trinity posted a message on the event page claiming that “very large crowds of protesters are expected in Lower Manhattan” and that city officials told the church that “public transportation may be disrupted.”

To rectify the situation, the church is still planning to hold the event — but it will be available via webcast only. Interested parties can tune in to TrinityWallStreet.org from 2 p.m. until 6 p.m. ET to watch.

Trinity Wall Street Holds Pro Occupy May Day Teach In Event

Occupiers using Trinity's community center (Image Credit: TrinityWallStreet.org)

This event, though, isn’t the only show of support the church has offered. In fact, there is a slideshow of images on its web site that accompany explanations of how the church has assisted the movement. Here are some excerpts taken from it:

  • A neighborhood center, free and open to all. Charlotte’s Place receives between 2-300 protesters per day.
  • From the start of the occupation, protesters were welcomed at Charlotte’s Place, which is a short walk from Zuccotti Park. The wi-fi access is a big draw for those needing email and Internet access. It‘s a pretty safe bet some of the OWS website was built at Charlotte’s Place.
  • The Charlotte’s Place conference room is a popular place to convene meetings.
  • The parish has hosted fourteen OWS-related meetings and counting.
  • Charlotte’s Place has boosted its programming, offering daily music, forums, and counseling sessions.

While the church is certainly welcome to support Occupy if it so chooses, why it would do so in light of past events — and knowing the often violent and off-kilter antics protesters have engaged in — is curious to say the least.

Comments (30)

  • Thatsitivehadenough
    Posted on May 2, 2012 at 6:36am

    The only good communist is a dead communist.

    And that’s the truth.

    Report Post » Thatsitivehadenough  
  • TEARS FOR AMERICA
    Posted on May 1, 2012 at 4:33pm

    And the sad part is that it is not just the Episcopal Church that has become the social altar for misfits of a red persuasion…they have secretly crept in slowly and surely to mislead the very elect in many denominations…there are a few who have not given into collectivism/socialism, but have remained true to the Gospel message.

    Report Post » TEARS FOR AMERICA  
  • thegreatcarnac
    Posted on May 1, 2012 at 2:56pm

    I believe the Episcopal church has become a false church.

    Report Post »  
  • papatom48
    Posted on May 1, 2012 at 12:46pm

    perhaps one of the most important movements????? Really??? Perhaps a load of horse hockey. Shame on these religious crazies. Do they not understand that these atheist leftist occupy nutbags would exterminate them and their churches if they were successful in their quest to change this country into a communist state?? Enough with the peaceful nonsense with the occupy folks. will somebody please just start shooting them? Thank you.

    Report Post »  
  • Johann
    Posted on May 1, 2012 at 11:25am

    The episcopal church usa is not a christian institution nor an american instituion. It has become a secular progressive movement which enjoys its tax free status in order to inflict its amoral life style on the rest of us. We must realize that many christian instituion in the megapolis are really anti christian in their inner core. The age of anti Christ is beginning in the New American World State which is the biggest supporter of materialistic communism in the world. The Americans have for a long time supported the communist way of life in their educational, religious and political institutions and to add insult to injury they force the rest of us to support them. Look at the Ivy League instituions which are filled with tax exempt wealth and the democrat controlled urban churches which are likewise supported by the taxpayers. I think at this juncture of time the Americans owe George III an apology; nothing he was accused of doing comes anywhere close to the present American Central government and its brown shirts in OWS. O tempora O mores.

    Report Post »  
  • WhiteFang
    Posted on May 1, 2012 at 11:09am

    Is this what a “Christian Church” should be occupied with?

    No light is coming forth, only darkness from this corner of New York.

    Report Post » WhiteFang  
    • WhiteFang
      Posted on May 1, 2012 at 11:42am

      “And now this commandment is to YOU, O priests. 2 If YOU will not listen, and if YOU will not lay [it] to heart to give glory to my name,” Jehovah of armies has said, “I shall also certainly send upon YOU the curse, and I will curse YOUR blessings. Yes, I have even cursed the [blessing], because YOU are not laying [it] to heart.”
      Malachi 2:1-2

      Report Post » WhiteFang  
  • G-WHIZ
    Posted on May 1, 2012 at 10:48am

    The govt and the progs have started to take-over our churches…soon, HIS facad will be in-place-of ALL the Crosses in church….just like Hitler’s-Germany…Oh wow man…wontit be ggrreeeaaate!

    Report Post »  
  • garbagecanlogic
    Posted on May 1, 2012 at 10:15am

    Perhaps the church should dwell on spirtual matters instead of movements meant to undermine religion and the country.

    Praise Be To Obama. Psalm 109:8

    The U.S. Out Of The U.N.
    The U.N. Out Of The U.S.

    Report Post »  
    • Greenwood
      Posted on May 1, 2012 at 10:40am

      Psalms 146:3 Do not put your trust in nobles,

      Report Post » Greenwood  
    • Greenwood
      Posted on May 1, 2012 at 10:44am

      Psalms 146:3 Do not put your trust in nobles,
      Nor in the son of earthling man,
      to whom no salvation belongs.

      Report Post » Greenwood  
  • Dismayed Veteran
    Posted on May 1, 2012 at 10:13am

    I believe, but can’t prove, that most of the OWS do not have a deep abiding faith in GOD. I believe that their faith is socialism and social justice is the means to that end. Unfortunately for Episcopalians their church also believes in social justice with a religious veneer. These poor Episcopalians who believe they are doing GOD’s work, will be among the early groups to be put in front of the wall. OWS members and, in particular, their sponsors can’t afford to have GOD in the mix.

    Matthew Henry wrote: There are “none so blind as those that will not see.”

    They will be walking to the wall and asking “But Why?”

    Report Post » Dismayed Veteran  
  • barber2
    Posted on May 1, 2012 at 10:00am

    Just another one of the “ Jesus came to put a chicken in every pot ” misguided churches which have strayed so far from Christ’s spiritual message . Jesus message was not about “ economics ” and redistribution. His message was about love and man’s spiritual life.

    Report Post »  
  • yiska8
    Posted on May 1, 2012 at 9:52am

    I truly feel for the church maintenance and housekeeping staff or cleaning volunteers. Remember, these are the same group of degenerates that caused a resurgence of scabies and healh hazards by urinating and defecating in parks. Now they’re bringing it indoors. Why the Episcopalians are putting their building and worshippers at risk with potential killers,rapists,thieves, and vandalizers is beyond my understanding. Jesus loves all, but the Bible clearly warns us not to be in the company of fools.
    http://www.biblestudytools.com/msg/proverbs/passage.aspx?q=proverbs+14:7-17

    Report Post » yiska8  
  • Detroit paperboy
    Posted on May 1, 2012 at 9:47am

    Ever since the 1960s ended, these people have been extremely bored…..

    Report Post »  
  • VoteRightDammit
    Posted on May 1, 2012 at 9:45am

    Wow.

    EPISCOPAL church.

    WHAT A SHOCK !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

    Report Post » VoteRightDammit  
    • Gonzo
      Posted on May 1, 2012 at 10:21am

      Exactly, it’s sad to see how far they have fallen.

      Report Post » Gonzo  
  • RightUnite
    Posted on May 1, 2012 at 9:44am

    Shut the Church down… Allow the OWS to totally trash the church. Just don’t come whining to us when it happens.

    Report Post »  
  • virgie morgan
    Posted on May 1, 2012 at 9:35am

    What was that Reagan said about feeding the crocodile hoping he will eat you last, but eat you he will. They and everyone who helps these idiots are hoping that if they help them then they won’t be destroyed by them…but like Tiress1 said, communism is a form of government that bans religion. Just a church full of useful idiots in my opinion. And a church that is letting thier “true doctrine” show. They will lose members who are true Christians and gain a congregation of anti-Christian communists. I wonder how many of those will be putting money in the basket of offerings. My guess is that this is a church on it’s way down and will be out of business soon because they are taking money from their members and spending it on communists who will destroy them in the end. At least their congregation will now know they have been going to the wrong church.

    Report Post »  
  • JP4JOY
    Posted on May 1, 2012 at 9:32am

    I’m sure the church will be OH so very happy when they have to cleanup after these anarchists. My guess is they are being “supportive” out of fear and it WILL backfire and cost them…wait and see.

    Report Post » JP4JOY  
  • barber2
    Posted on May 1, 2012 at 9:20am

    “ it is perhaps one of the most important movements since the Civil Rights and antiwar movements of the 50s and 60s ”…..oh, brother . PERHAPS…how appropriate is the word “Perhaps ”…The anti-capitalist Occupy movement is just another bunch of liberal wackos like the radicals who fueled the “movements” of the 50s and 60s. To compare this to the civil rights movement is INSANE. The antiwar movement was filled largely with draft dodgers , anti-American Lefties, druggies , anarchists , and hippies. The same group as this “ perhaps ” movement. Just an angry, nasty Blast from the Past. The ” anti-capitalist” / anti-American movement. The Bill Ayers Crowd of agitators and angry losers. We can only hope that these misguided Occupy tools will “ perhaps ” grow up, wise up, and man up.

    Report Post »  
  • Tigress1
    Posted on May 1, 2012 at 9:16am

    “It is inconceivable that this movement is not in some way a press toward making America a more Democratic society both socially and economically.” – minister of Riverside Church.

    Instead of using the word “Democratic” (We are a REPUBLIC by the way! Remember the Pledge of Allegiance?) why don’t you use the words that the Occupiers would prefer which is “Communist”? That is what they really are! As a minister, how can you ever support Communism, which is a form of government that bans religion?

    Report Post » Tigress1  
    • Tigress1
      Posted on May 1, 2012 at 9:35am

      Democracies only last about 200 years because when they discover that they can vote for who gives them the most benefits they become complacent, then dependent, then they fall to tyranny.

      http://www.linkedin.com/answers/government-non-profit/government-policy/GOV_GPO/153312-11719918

      Democracies are essentially “mob rule”. When there is mob rule there are always minorities (I do not mean “minority” as in “race”exclusively, but minorities who have different views and opinions, different religions, etc.) who become dominated by the mob. They have ZERO voice under mob rule. How can any minister support such? Republics protect minorities better than any other form of government, Democracies run over minorities.

      Report Post » Tigress1  
  • teddrunk
    Posted on May 1, 2012 at 9:14am

    The Episcopal Church, like so many others, have cause the cancer of Communism. It’s truly end times stuff.

    Report Post »  
  • kickagrandma
    Posted on May 1, 2012 at 9:14am

    waste places in the desert

    Report Post »  
  • EqualJustice
    Posted on May 1, 2012 at 9:11am

    It’s a BLACK church? What else would you expect? They are OBAMA peeps. Remember what they say…We’re white! “So to hell with you if we want to vote for a brother because he is black, that’s our business. We‘ve been voting for you for as long as we’ve had the privilege to vote. It’s an honor for us to vote for one of our own kind.” Doesn‘t matter what BO does or doesn’t do. He’s BLACK. That’s all that matters to them. How sad we have reverted to the OLD DAYS of segregation. Thanks, Mr. President.

    Report Post » EqualJustice  
    • TruthHurts
      Posted on May 1, 2012 at 9:20am

      Wow… are you off kilter. It is not a black church, not in the least. Where are you from anyway?

      Report Post »  
    • EqualJustice
      Posted on May 1, 2012 at 9:41am

      Sure LOOKS like a BLACK CHURCH.. is that the Jones preacher white? I am from the Boston area, why? It‘s an EPISCOPAL church so you KNOW it’s FAR LEFT LEANING. Is the Rvev. Dr. JIM FORBES the same DR. JAMES FORBES? I do believe he is BLACK? Not sure, but either way these are DEFF OBAMA PEEPS!

      Report Post » EqualJustice  
  • Jennifer Flowers
    Posted on May 1, 2012 at 9:09am

    I don’t remember Jesus “occupying” the temple when he confronted the money changers……..

    http://facebook.com/JenniferFlowersLibertarian

    Report Post » Jennifer Flowers  
  • Jennifer Flowers
    Posted on May 1, 2012 at 9:08am

    Teach in, or Brainwash in?

    http://facebook.com/JenniferFlowersLibertarian

    Report Post » Jennifer Flowers  

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