As you can see in the above picture, her comments weren’t over-the-top or inflammatory as the “Unitarian Universalist Fellowship associate minister” is claiming.
(PCM) – Anti-Islamic posts on an Appleton alderwoman’s Facebook page prompted sharp criticism Tuesday from community members who called the sentiments hateful and dangerous.
Cathy Spears, a member of the city council, is at the center of the response to two “shared” messages that listed terror attacks perpetrated by Muslims and questioned whether Islamic teachings are peaceful.
Spears, who also serves as an Outagamie County supervisor, said the posts were not intended to offend anyone.
“I have a very open viewpoint and look at all kinds of content,” she said. “Posting something doesn’t mean that I approve of it. I’m throwing it out there for comment even if I disagree with it totally. I’m open-minded and see posts from very conservative friends and very liberal friends on Facebook.”
One of the posts listed acts of violence ranging from the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks to the Boston Marathon bombing and other events like “The U.S.S. Cole bombers were Muslims” against the backdrop of mosques. The post originated from the “Ask Dr. Brown” page. Michael L. Brown is a North Carolina-based conservative radio host and American Messianic Jew. Brown did not immediately return a phone call from Post-Crescent Media on Tuesday.
Part of the post included this message from Brown:
“I know that there are many Muslim leaders who denounce violent Islam, but can someone please explain why “the religion of peace” is so bloody? Why is Islamic terror so widespread — without a worldwide equivalent in any other religion today?”
Spears says her Facebook page is also home to lighthearted posts from various sources, including religious, political and buzz-worthy.
The two posts in question drew the attention of Leah Hart-Landsberg, an associate minister at the Fox Valley Unitarian Universalist Fellowship.
Hart-Landsberg flagged the posts to the council and Mayor Tim Hanna in an email. She said they send a signal that Appleton is a “hostile and unwelcoming community.”
Hanna reacted swiftly to the posts on Tuesday, saying they had no place in Appleton, where officials have put an emphasis on inclusion in recent years.