A group of activists, including Anglican Watch editor Eric Bonetti, have launched a site calling for a boycott of Montvale NJ area businesses. Located at https://boycottmontvale.com/, the site includes a petition on change.org.
Montvale is home to numerous businesses, including Sharp, Benjamin Moore, Ingersoll Rand, Wegmans, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, Davey’s Irish Pub and Restaurant, Perfect Limo Service, Inc., CrossCountry Mortgage, Pentax, and KPMG. Many of these companies already have anti-discrimination policies that would prohibit conduct like Joseph Wahler’s ugly hate speech, which includes anti-LGBTQ and sexist comments.
The new site will be updated with names of protesters, their employers or businesses, and other information to help buyers make informed decisions and avoid supporting hate.
Could @ohhhdri be any more childish and hateful? Such a bunch of assholes.
@Stinkbomb: We love you for your regular deployment of the various munitions in the Stink arsenal. Just please remember to keep things g-rated.
The person (s) who posted hate speech has NOTHING to do with people who have been blocked from attending church. Hate has no place in Montvale.(or anywhere) Maybe allowing everyone to attend their church would be a first step in the healing process and show how we can all come together to heal.
While we agree that hate has no place in Montvale, it is indisputable that Joe Wahler’s anti-LGBTQ comments were connected to the dissidents. They were made in support of that group. Same for the comments from Ms. Ritchie’s daughter and others, which include defamatory claims that Jill Williams is mentally ill.
As to the dissidents themselves, a great start towards reconciliation would be Beth Abrahamson and Jeff Piatt returning the financial records they illegally removed from the church. We doubt any rational actor would welcome someone with a history of theft. Moreover, the removal of church financial records leads us to ask some difficult questions about Montvale Landscaping and its business practices.
The People who made those comments (anti LGBTQ) are NOT connected to the peaceful protestors. Not sure who the “dissidents ” are ? Maybe an open door policy for Sunday Services where ALL are welcome would be a good start. ?
So, if someone came to your home and stole your checkbook, would they be welcome in the future? We think not. Indeed, we hope not. To decide otherwise would be profoundly irrational.
In that vein, we need to be very clear — theft of business records is illegal and unethical. And that is exactly what Jeff Piatt and Beth Abrahamson did when they illegally removed church financial records.
As to your assertion that there is no connection between the protesters and Joseph Wahler et al, how do you explain his knowledge of their activities?
As to next steps, let’s start with folks returning that which they stole and work our way up from there. Once that is done, there is a formal process — the Lombard Mennonite Peace Center initiative — that folks can participate in.
It also is worth noting that the condition the vestry has imposed on resuming attendance is a face-to-face meeting with the rector. When that does not occur, the protestors have no one but themselves to blame.
We also note that you appear to have a distorted notion of reconciliation and forgiveness. Christianity is very clear —- if reconciliation is to occur, there must be accountability, reparation, and amendment of life. Cheap grace solves nothing.
Is it possible J.Wahler read on FB or drove by a peaceful protest ? He is NOT a member of St.Pauls now or ever and he is NOT a peaceful protestor.
I thought the Lombard Mennonite Peace Center already had a session that church members participated in. Also when is the face-to-face meeting ? The sooner we ALL can get back to church the sooner the healing can begin.
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Our recommendation is that you contact rector Jill Williams directly with questions about the process. It is also our understanding that the bishop has sent a letter outlining that sessions with the LPMC are a prerequisite to mediation and reconciliation.
It also is important that all involved not sidestep the issue of theft of church financial records. Until the church’s property is returned, by definition there has been no repentance, and thus there cannot be reconciliation. Moreover, it is worth noting that the IRS takes a very dim view of persons who steal business records, and likely will ask some tough questions of those involved.
Where are you getting the information that Beth Abrahamson and Jeff Piatt have illegally removed financial records from the church?? Was this something that was “heard” in conversation or is there actual proof of this accusation?
It is the policy of Anglican Watch to not disclose sources unless specifically authorized to do so. We have verified this information, however, and stand behind our reporting.
That answers my question perfectly – it is hearsay without actual proof. Thank you.
Perhaps we were unclear: The matter is not “hearsay” and has been verified. Kindly refrain from speculation and attributing things to this publication that are inaccurate.
I did take a photo of my next question that was asking which has the date and time on it.
Perhaps you should make sure you are emailing the correct party. Otherwise, your efforts to be sneaky quickly become obvious.
FYI, Anglican Watch supports stiff penalties for Piatt, and for Rusty Miller, up to and including jail time, apropos the criminal charges for defiant trespass.
Their ongoing conduct, including Rusty’s utterly stupid and inane lawsuit for “heterophobia,” make clear they are not taking responsibility for their actions.
We also doubt that the conduct of the dissidents, including Louise Miller’s actions, will do much to further Louise Miller’s career.