Posted by Something2think_about (anonymous) on July 22, 2008 at 2:37 p.m. (Suggest removal)

One of the websites that Mark Duke keeps referring to is located at http://www.topix.com/forum/city/selma-al... . I would highly suggest thatpeople check this blog site out. I do not see it as the "monster" Mr. Duke and James Perkins portray it to be.

Be prepared to be at you computer for a long time though... there are over 200 pages of information. I found some amusing and some inspiring. The daily devotionals can be uplifting.

I do think it is a big shame that most people have to use sceen names. This is because if the freedom foundation finds out your name, you are quickly sent a letter from a lawyer threatening legal action. They seem to have forgotten what the first amendment has granted ALL citizens, not just the ones that express ideas that go with theirs.

Posted by dunc (anonymous) on July 22, 2008 at 3:05 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Thank you Something2think_about for posting the link to the Topix site.

I do not see any ‘hate’ posted there! I see a lot of posts from people questioning the true motives of Mr. Duke and the Freedom Foundation. I think that it is important that we do question Mr. Duke’s motives.

Waltzing into town with large fanfare and an ‘army’ of 30 or so ‘volunteers’ from Colorado would certainly cause most people to consider it a bit odd and ask some very pointed questions. I think that Mr. Duke has an over blown sense of importance if he considers the contents of the Topix site to be ‘hate’. Although by his own admission he has never been on the internet as his wife does not let him, how does he know what is on the site. Is somebody is telling Mr. Duke untruths about the actual contents of the site?

Of course Mr. Duke may need to feel hated and persecuted in order to be more like Jesus or Dr. King. I think the only person he is kidding is himself!

Posted by SelmasOwn (anonymous) on July 22, 2008 at 4:49 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Mr. Duke has it all wrong. People are not against the work of moving Selma forward toward a 'beloved community'. We are just against an outside organization coming into our community and continually putting us down. I will be the first to admit that Selma has its problems, what community doesn't? But in Selma we are a stubborn and proud community and do not take kindly to outsiders in any capacity - especially ones who continually put us down and tell us we are racists.

The Topix site does not promote "hate" as Mr. Duke claims. Inquiring minds want to know. The Freedom Foundation entered into Selma under the guise of being open as well as wanting to help Selma or as Mr. Duke has stated, "Save Selma". Selma may not have the greatest race relations, but as someone who has lived in this community my entire life, relations with any Selmian is becoming strained - due in large part to Mr. Duke and the Freedom Foundation.

I am not posting this from hate, but out of observance. Churches, Civic organizations, groups and schools have all become divided in recent months. Because of this problem, people have taken to the internet to ask questions about this organization. I believe they have every right to ask such questions. As with any site on the internet, there are some questionable posts, but to refer to the informative site as "hate speech" is something I cannot agree with or stand behind.

By this logic, then all internet sites, message boards, and forums are hate speech. There is always one bad apple who will come along and spoil the bunch. But to take the steps to harass and try and shut down the site is pure wrong. I do know for a fact that many of the members of the Freedom Foundation come from a Marketing background. I am assuming that at some point during their education they learned about the First Amendment and Freedom of Speech. People have the right to say how they feel openly without having to deal with persecution. No one on the website has openly come out with threats, but yet people are continually being harrassed about their posting and some are even threatened with legal action.

Since when is speaking your mind a criminal act. I don't like onions. I think they smell horrible and make your breath smell worse. I am concerned about my friends who eat onions. I am scared that they could potentially get sick from the onions. Onions like to take over the flavor of certain foods. My comments on onions are no different than those made about the Freedom Foundation on the Topix forum. Now should I be sued by onion farmers for expressing my opinion?

Posted by saveselma (anonymous) on July 22, 2008 at 7:05 p.m. (Suggest removal)

I was there because I wanted to make up my own mind about the FF group. I thought that they were a nice group who came to town to help people. After hearing Mr. Duke speak, it became very apparent that he only wants to help HIMSELF. Come on, everyone has had their yard tp'ed. That is not a hate crime. When I went to the website that he mentioned, I only read comments by concerned individuals. I also read a couple of comments by a woman who has not seen her daughter or granddaughter in years. What kind of LOVE is that?

Posted by hjorgan (anonymous) on August 19, 2008 at 10:32 p.m. (Suggest removal)

What is a Cult?

"A cult is a group or movement exhibiting a great or excessive devotion or dedication to some person, idea, or thing and employing unethically manipulative techniques of persuasion and control (e.g., isolation from former friends and family, debilitation, use of special methods to heighten suggestibility and subservience, powerful group pressures, information management, suspension of individuality or critical judgment, promotion of total dependency on the group and fear of leaving it, etc.) designed to advance the goals of the group’s leaders to the actual or possible detriment of members, their families, or the community." (West & Langone, 1986)

What Are Some Characteristics of a Cult?
Authoritarian in their power structure
Totalitarian in their control of the behavior of their members
Pyramidal structure
Uses thought reform techniques
Isolation of members (physical and/or psychological isolation) from society
Uses deception in recruiting and/or fund raising
Promotes dependence of the members on the group
Totalitarian in their world view
Uses mind altering techniques (chanting, meditation, hypnosis and various forms of repetitive actions) to stop normal critical thinking
Appear exclusive and innovative
Charismatic or messianic leader who is self-appointed and has a special mission in life <<<< ???????
Controls the flow of information
Instills a fear of leaving the group.

Hmmmmm..........

Posted by Dewayne (anonymous) on August 23, 2008 at 4:53 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Hey... this was recently posted on the House of God Topix Forum:

CALL FOR INFORMATION:
This request is an attempt to seek information about theological and doctrinal issues and activities and claims related to the House of God located in Parker, Colorado and its affiliate organization, the Freedom Foundation in Selma, Alabama.
I am seeking communication with persons (particularly current and former members and/or volunteers of the above identified groups) who have "personal" knowledge and/or experiences with the teachings of the founder, other leaders and/or members of the House of God and its affilate organizations. Information can be pro or con, but must be accurate and confirmable. Any communication will be considered privileged and confidential, and your identity will be secure.
I am also interested in communicating with any person(s) who has received any legal notice from legal counsel or any other group or any person affiliated with and or related to the House of God or the Freedom Foundation threatening legal action if you speak out about your experiences and or knowledge of these groups. I am also interested if you have been threatened with legal action but not yet received official notice from legal representative of the mentioned groups. Any communication will be considered privileged and confidential, and your identity will be secure.
PLEASE DO NOT POST INFORMATION IN RESPONSE TO THIS REQUEST ON THIS BLOG - IT WILL NOT BE READ.
Please know that I am not interested in scurilous and spurious comments directed at me or the groups I am seeking infiormation about, they will be ignored.
Any message that can be considered illegal, such as threats of violence directed at any person or group WILL IMMEDIATELY BE REPORTED TO THE APPROPRIATE AUTHORITIES.
Please contact me via email at this address: lookfortruth@gmail.com.
Allan McConnell
State Executive Director
Watchman Fellowship, inc.
PO Box 5*3*0*8*4*2
Birmingham, AL 3*5*2*5*3
2*0*5*8*3*3*2*8*5*8
lookfortruth@gmail.com