Like Kiki was commenting on, the taxpayers money should be going to the school systems or something else worthwhile instead of a stupid dome stadium or the”Olympic” style facilities. No one is going to come here if crime and poverty are allowed to remain and increase in some places.

I’m definitely with you guys on your opinion’s of King Larry.

As far as Larry’s group, 11:00 sounds a little early in the day for lunch to me, but I suppose it’s possible that this is a lunch hour activity. I agree with your point about equality for all, but Kathy’s statement that if the boss is leading the study group, you’re going to feel undue pressure, is also true. Frankly, I don’t care if they’re reading the Great Books Series or discussing existentialism and nihilism in there—anything they’re doing on the city nickel that isn’t city work would piss me off.

But I don’t live in Birmingham.

I am swamped with emails every day during the campaign period saying how I should support the United Way by giving monthly out of my paycheck. My bosses expect it. Will I be judged b/c I don’t participate? Are they going to think I just don’t care? Will I be passed over for a raise or promotion? Maybe I give lots of money to various charities, I just want to choose where my money goes. Does that matter to them though? No. United Way forces corporations to make their employees give.

At one job, as a condition of my employment I was told I would give a certain percentage to the corporate charity fund each year. That fact was non-negotiable. I in turn, turned down the job. I will not be forced to give to a charity that I don’t select.

@Bhmhomeboy - Paid or not, a lunch hour is still your lunch hour to do with whatever you please. They should be allowed to go do whatever they want to do during their lunch hour - whether it be a Bible Study, going to Synagogue or whatever they desire. If you’re honestly saying they shouldn’t be allowed to attend a Bible study on their lunch hour, that’s ridiculous. If that’s unacceptable behavior then we should start monitoring all city worker’s lunch hours to make sure it’s the appropriate use of taxpayer money. Bottom line - Your lunch hour is your lunch hour.

@Kathy - If what you are saying is true about it NOT being their lunch hour, then I would have to recant my statement. I only assumed this would only be attempted under a lunch hour premise as this is how it’s been done at other places.

@MadPatriot - We could only hope for Constitution classes.

@Kiki - I agree if we are looking for equality then either A) The chambers should be open to any religious organization for studies and worship or B) No religious organization should be allowed. The latter choice would probably be the better of the two to keep things civil and correct you know? And I totally agree that the whole apartment loft thing was a crock.

I just want equality for all. Sounds cliche’, but here’s an example. At my current employer I receive invitations to participate in Islam Awareness meetings and GLBT Awareness discussions. However, we are not allowed to have a Christianity Meeting for discussions and awareness. Is that right? Going back to what I said earlier about the use of the Chambers, either allow all groups to have an Awareness Meeting or don’t allow any. That seems to be the only fair and logical decision.