Gunman Targeted Non-Christians

Yesterday I did a post that looked at new fears that the current economic melt down might fuel a rise in hate group activities. Related to this phenomenon, in my view, is the story line being put out by Christianist organizations claiming that Christians in this country are being persecuted when in fact it is the Christianists who are endeavoring to persecute those who do not subscribe to their religious beliefs - e.g., LGBT citizens - and seeking to inject religion into the civil laws. Sadly, far too many in the media and in political circles are too timid and gutless to challenge the false statements put out by bigots like James Dobson, Tony Perkins, Don Wildmon who in my view should be deemed to be lying until proven otherwise give their history of lies and false statements. Their demagoguery can act as a catalyst to set off violent actions against other citizens as exemplified by a recent shooting rampage at the Eldora Ski Resort in Colorado where a gunman targeted non-Christians. The liars among the Christianists must be called to account for the poisonous atmosphere that they have created that encourages such violence. Here are highlights from the Denver Post:

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BOULDER — Derik Bonestroo's confrontation with fellow workers at Eldora Mountain Resort appeared to be a well-planned scheme to kill co-workers who were not Christian, according to investigators from the Boulder County Sheriff's Office. Bonestroo's "demeanor and tactical style clothing" had all the indications that the 24-year-old Bonestroo carefully planned the face-to-face showdown, according to documents filed Wednesday in Boulder District Court.

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[T]he 6-foot- 2-inch, 200-pound-plus lift operator drove to Eldora Mountain Resort, where a number of lift operators had gathered for an assignment meeting in the pump house. One of the employees at the meeting, April Wilson, told investigators that Bonestroo walked in dressed in black, carrying a gun, and fired into the ceiling, according to the documents. He then declared: "If you're not Christian, you're going to die," Wilson said.

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In the minutes that followed, Bonestroo engaged in a gun battle with a sheriff's deputy just outside of Nederland. The deputy hit Bonestroo but didn't kill him; Bonestroo committed suicide by shooting himself. In the car, investigators found that Bonestroo had a "drop-down magazine holster" strapped to his left thigh and a "drop-down gun holster" on his right thigh. Bonestroo was clutching a Glock semiautomatic handgun in his right hand.

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Nice work Messrs. Dobson and Perkins, et al.